By Lucky Isibor
The commissioner representing Edo State on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Hon Patrick Asowerien has provided some clarifications over the uproar surrounding the purported commissioning of the Abraka-Oben road by the Minister of Regional Development, Hon Abubakar Momoh.
Mr Asowerien’s statement aims to calm the tense situation and shed light on the issue, especially given the misconceptions that have arisen regarding the road commissioning.
The Youths under the auspices of UGU for Development for change led a protest claiming that the minister of Regional Development Hon Abubakar Momoh Commissioned a non existing Abraka – Oben road.
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According to Mr Asowerien, who was determined to set the record straight, “What the Minister commissioned was the first phase of the 9.8-kilometre Abraka-Oben road”, stating that plans were afoot to launch the second and third phases later.
Mr Asowerien also staunchly defended the Minister against any accusations, insisting the narrative presented by the protesting youths was misleading.
He emphasized that it is inaccurate to claim that the federal government has completed and commissioned the Abraka-Oben road when, in reality, it is still an ongoing project.
He added further that both the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other partners are working together to continue to improve the living standards of the people.
Mr. Asowerien remarked, “No one has said that the federal government has completed the Oben road section of the project.”
He also noted that construction work has not yet started on the Orhionmwon section of the 12.18-kilometer Oben-Umugun road, which connects to the Benin-Abraka highway.
Furthermore, he commended Hon. Momoh for including these crucial link roads in the ministry’s budget for 2025 and assured that the construction of the link roads connecting Edo and Delta States is being prioritized.
Earlier, Comrade Monday Osemwenkhae, the coordinator of the protesting youths, took journalists on a tour of the community, where he claimed that the Oben section in Orhionmwon is yet withness construction from Abraka.