By Ovie Okpare
The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Monday, said his administration will execute projects that would have meaningful impact on the lives of the people, while also assuring of prudent management of the State’s resources.
He also said the State’s 2026 budget would be thoroughly executed without borrowing to fund it, in line with his administration’s accountability posture.
Oborevwori spoke on Monday, while performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the N39.3 billion Otovwodo Junction Flyover project in Ughelli, Delta State.
He noted that the Otovwodo Junction Flyover project was conceived as a permanent solution to the persistent traffic congestion at the junction, one of the busiest in the state, as well as to give the city of Ughelli a modern city looks.
The Governor stated that prudent management of resources is central his administration, adding that fiscal discipline and allocation of resources is what has resulted in massive harvest of several legacy projects spread across the State.
“We will continue to execute major projects across Delta State without borrowing. Our 2026 budget will also be funded responsibly, and I can assure you that several completed projects are already awaiting commissioning, while more will be flagged off in 2026 under our Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda,” Oborevwori said.
He described the Otovwodo Flyover as a landmark achievement in his administration’s infrastructure renewal drive, noting that Ughelli’s rapid population growth had placed enormous pressure on its road network, particularly the Otovwodo Junction along the East–West Road.
“This junction has become notorious for gridlock, costing commuters valuable productive hours daily. I have personally experienced what motorists go through here. This flyover is the permanent solution to that challenge,” the governor stated.
As interim measures before the flyover, Oborevwori disclosed that his administration constructed alternative routes, including Uduere Street, Okogbe Street, Oru Street, Edo Street and Royal Avenue linking Agbarha-Otor Road, at a cost of nearly N6 billion to ease gridlock.
The project, awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, is expected to be completed within 12 months, a timeline the governor described as non-negotiable due to the strategic importance of the junction.
He explained that the project comprised a multi-span reinforced concrete bridge with dual carriageways, roundabouts and associated roadworks linking the East–West Road with other arterial routes.
“When completed, this flyover will ease congestion, reduce travel time, improve safety and stimulate economic activities. It will also create thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the construction value chain,” he added, urging residents to cooperate with traffic officials during construction.
Earlier, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Peer Lubasch, thanked the Delta State Government for the confidence reposed in the company, describing the contract as a validation of its technical competence and long-standing partnership with the state.
He said the 15-span flyover would feature dual carriageways, connecting roads, specialised drainage systems and solar-powered street lighting, assuring that the project would be delivered to global standards within schedule.
In their remarks, Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Hon. Jaro Egbo, praised Governor Oborevwori for the project, saying the project upon completion would change the beauty landscape of the city of Ughelli and ease vehicular movement.
Egbo stated that Oborevwori, an Urhobo from Okpe, has written his name in ‘hall of fame’ like Chief Mukoro Mowoe, Chief Samuel Jereton Mariere, Chief
Thompson Adogbeji Salubi and a host of other Urhobo nationalists, with his sterling performance.
He told the governor that the people of Ughelli North LGA will overwhelming support his re-election in 2027, noting that there was no alternative his candidature in the forthcoming elections in the state.
On his part, the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oharisi III, speaking through the Otota (spokesman) of Ughelli Kingdom, Chief Peter Akpofure, praised the governor for the long-awaited project, stressing that Oborevwori has written his name in the “annals of history” of Ughelli Kingdom.
The revered monarch posited that the project was a turning point for the area, while appealing for additional internal roads and complementary infrastructure in the city.
Oborevwori after the groundbreaking ceremony, visited the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, HRM Wilson Ojakovo Oharisi III and Chief Morrison Olori, founder and Chairman of Ukodo Nation, where he reiterated that he is Governor for all Deltans.
The ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Majesty, Orhue 1; Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, Oharisi lll; Ovie of Udu Kingdom, Okporua 1; State Chairman All Progressives Congress APC, Elder Omeni Sobotie and member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive.
Others are Rep member for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Hon. Ngozi Okolie; member representing Ughelli North Constituency 1, Hon. Spencer Ohwofa; Political Adviser to the Governor, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo; Hon. Chris Oghenechovwen; elder statesman and founder of Ukodo Nation, Olorogun Morrison Olori; former commissioner for higher education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare; commissioner for Information & Works (Rural Roads), Charles Aniagwu; commissioner for Works (Highways), Comrade Reuben Izeze and other top government officials.
Indigenes, residents and market women praised the Governor for the project as a decisive step towards ending Ughelli’s traffic challenges.
