The Delta State Government has commenced construction works on the 10.1-kilometre Aboh–Akarai Road, including a major bridge across the Okiri River, in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state. The project, valued at ₦29.8 billion, is aimed at improving access, boosting economic activities and enhancing social integration in the riverine axis of the state.
The Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, disclosed this during an inspection visit to the project site, where he was accompanied by the Director of Highways, Engr. Solomon Aghagba, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Works.
According to Izeze, the project is strategically designed to open up Akarai community and neighbouring settlements by providing a direct road connection to Aboh, thereby ending the long-standing reliance on river transportation as the primary means of access.
He explained that Ndokwa East is largely agrarian, with residents predominantly engaged in farming and fishing, but the difficult terrain and lack of road infrastructure have for years constrained economic growth and business opportunities in the area.
“This project is intended to open up more avenues for the people of Akarai to link Aboh without having to sail through the river. Because of the nature of the topography, it has been very difficult for the people to do business and succeed as entrepreneurs,” the Commissioner said.
Izeze noted that the road and bridge construction aligns with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, stressing that the “O” in the agenda represents opportunities for all Deltans, irrespective of whether they reside in riverine, rural or urban communities.
He further revealed that the bridge component of the project has been upgraded from an initial five-span design to a more robust seven-span structure to enhance durability and resilience against flooding.
According to him, the redesign was based on the 2012 flood level, which was adopted as the benchmark to ensure that the bridge can withstand future flooding and adapt to changing environmental conditions over time.
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The Commissioner also disclosed that contractors had returned to site immediately after the Christmas holidays and had already completed preliminary works, including bush clearing. He added that piling would commence as soon as the river’s water level recedes further, expressing confidence that significant progress would be recorded before the end of the year.
“This is one of the many promises of His Excellency that are being kept across the 25 local government areas of the state,” Izeze said.
Also speaking during the inspection, the contracting engineer, Lichaa Geagea, confirmed that preparatory activities were in progress, including site clearing, opening of access routes and arrangements for critical facilities such as the batching plant, iron bending yard and beam seating areas.
He disclosed that access roads to the bridge abutments had already been opened, while heavy equipment—including excavators, cranes and concrete mixers—are expected to arrive on site before the end of the month.
Geagea added that piling works for the bridge are scheduled to begin next month, while bush clearing for the remaining sections of the road would soon be completed. He noted that refilling works, construction of box culverts and other drainage structures would also commence before the end of the month.
When completed, the Aboh–Akarai Road and Okiri River Bridge project is expected to significantly enhance mobility, stimulate economic activities and strengthen social and commercial ties in Ndokwa East, particularly for riverine communities that have long grappled with accessibility challenges.
