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| Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa |
By Michael Odiah
The outgoing administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has reinforced its commitment to finishing strong as it has continued to connect more communities and contribute to the growth of commerce in rural communities due to massive construction of road networks across the state.
Inaugurating the newly constructed Ugbolu-Akwukwu-Igbo road and Okpanam Bye-Pass, adjoining roads and discharge channels both in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state, Governor Okowa noted that his administration had also constructed drainage channels of the same magnitude including the storm water projects to check erosion and ensure durability and sustainability of newly constructed roads.
While lauding Deltans for their support and cooperation to his administration in the last eight years, Okowa said, "for people who know this road as it used to be, I am sure that if you go through it now, you will find it very exciting".
Adding: "Beyond the road, there is a lot of economic impact because along this route, we have the Norsworthy farms, which is a very huge agricultural investment in oil palm. I believe that, it's going to continually create jobs for our people, especially as the oil palm farm also has a refinery which is currently under construction."
The governor assured deltans that the next administration will continue from where he stopped, stressing that, his administration had connected many communities in the state with roads and bridges spanning over 2,000 kilometres and had done a lot in flood control measures in Asaba and Warri.
While commending the contractors for doing a good job on the projects, Okowa also revealed that the ministry of works had completed 58 road projects that were ready for inauguration, adding that "only a few will be inaugurated. The important thing is that, a lot of roads have been paved for our people and we are happy that the people, continue to enjoy the connectivity between our various communities."
In his speech, the Commissioner for Works, Mr Noel Omodon, disclosed that the Ugbolu-Akwukwu-Igbo Road spans 11.9km with a drainage length of 11.54km, while the Okpanam Bye-Pass comprised 4.79km Road and 12.96km drains with 13 adjoining roads.
