On Tuesday, the Honourable Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, led a crucial on-site assessment of the situation. Accompanying him were top executives from the contracting firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, senior officials from the Ministry’s Highways and Urban Roads Department, as well as the designated Community Liaison Officer for the flyover project. The visit was not merely ceremonial; it was a direct follow-up to a barrage of complaints from road users who have been enduring hours of delays amid the construction activities.
“This route is currently bearing an unbearable load,” Comrade Izeze stated emphatically. “It has become the only functional lifeline linking the Niger Delta to the eastern and western parts of the country. With the Benin–Sapele–Warri Road in near-total disrepair, articulated vehicles and tankers transporting goods across the nation have no choice but to reroute through here. The result is overwhelming pressure on our local infrastructure, leading to the persistent gridlock everyone is complaining about.”
The Commissioner revealed that the inspection tour was personally directed by His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, as part of the administration’s unwavering commitment to the MORE Agenda—Meaningful Development, Realistic Reforms, Opportunities for all Deltans, and Enhanced peace and security. Governor Oborevwori, according to Izeze, insisted that while the state pursues ambitious infrastructural transformation, no citizen should be subjected to unnecessary suffering.
“There is a clear governing philosophy in this administration,” Izeze elaborated. “We are delivering landmark projects that will stand the test of time, but we will never do so at the expense of the people’s daily comfort and safety. The Governor was deeply concerned when reports of the hardship reached him, and that is why we are here today—to see things with our own eyes and implement immediate palliative measures.”
During the inspection, the government team identified a previously barricaded alternative route along Okogbe Street that could significantly decongest the main construction zone. The Commissioner announced on the spot that the state government had issued firm instructions to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to reopen this access road without delay. The reopened link is expected to provide particular relief to heavy-duty vehicles, which have been the primary culprits behind the bottleneck.
“We have directed Julius Berger to immediately remove the barricades on this side road,” Izeze confirmed. “Once opened, it will create a smoother flow, especially for lorries and trailers that currently have no viable detour. This single action alone should bring substantial easement to motorists within the next few days.”
Beyond the immediate reopening, the Ministry is engaging the construction giant on longer-term traffic management strategies. Discussions are underway to erect reinforced, high barricades that will physically prevent articulated vehicles from veering into fragile inner residential streets. Many of these neighbourhood roads were never engineered to withstand the immense weight of fully laden trailers, and their misuse has already caused structural damage to drainage systems and pavements in surrounding communities.
Commissioner Izeze reassured members of the public that the state government is leaving no stone unturned to minimise disruption while ensuring the flyover project stays firmly on schedule. When completed, the Otovwodo Flyover will eliminate the chaotic at-grade intersection that has long been a notorious black spot for accidents and delays. It forms a critical component of Governor Oborevwori’s urban renewal drive aimed at modernising transportation networks across Delta State.
Motorists interviewed at the scene expressed cautious optimism about the government’s intervention. “We have been suffering here for months,” said Mr. Emmanuel Okotie, a commercial bus driver who plies the Ughelli–Warri–Port Harcourt route. “Sometimes it takes three to four hours just to pass this junction. If they truly open that Okogbe road and control where these big trucks go, it will be a huge relief.”
Residents of Otovwodo and adjoining communities also welcomed the development, noting that dust, noise, and damaged roads had become part of daily life since construction commenced. They urged the government to sustain the momentum and ensure that contractors adhere strictly to safety and environmental standards.
As Delta State continues its aggressive push to upgrade road infrastructure under the MORE Agenda, Tuesday’s proactive measures at Otovwodo Junction underscore a governance approach that balances ambitious development with genuine empathy for citizens’ lived experiences. With the alternative route set to reopen imminently and additional protective barriers in the pipeline, commuters can look forward to tangible relief even as they await the transformative impact of the completed flyover.
The Delta State Government has once again demonstrated that meaningful development does not have to come at the cost of preventable hardship, reaffirming Governor Oborevwori’s pledge to deliver progress that is both sustainable and people-centred.
