Delta Paying Billions To Fix Federal Roads, Aniagwu Reveals

…Fixed East-West road in 48 hours

Delta State says it is spending billions of naira to fix federal roads inside the state because it will not fold its arms while they collapse.

The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this on TVC’s “Politics Tonight”.

Aniagwu said Delta assisted with compensation payments running into billions of naira for the construction of the bypass connecting to the Second Niger Bridge — a federal project.

He said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has made it clear that Delta will not wait for Abuja while critical federal roads in its territory deteriorate.

He cited the state’s intervention along the Benin-Warri corridor in Effurun, where concrete pavement works were undertaken, and its swift response to a difficult section of the East-West Road, which he said was addressed within 48 hours.

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“Roads do not directly put food on people’s tables, but good road infrastructure creates the conditions for increased agricultural production, improved trade and easier access to markets,” Aniagwu said.

He said roads connect production centres to consumption areas, making it easier for farmers to move produce and for businesses to transport goods.

He acknowledged the infrastructure challenges facing the country but said both federal and state governments were making efforts to address them, citing the ongoing rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna road with concrete rigid pavement.

On the recent political violence in Asaba, which reportedly left one person dead and five others injured, Aniagwu rejected attempts to present the incident as an ordinary clash between political supporters.

He alleged that members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were involved in the violence during a rally held against police advice on securing an appropriate venue.

He said video recordings showed some individuals allegedly urging others to attack and kill, and expressed concern over remarks attributed to a political leader suggesting that people would die if elections were rigged.

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Aniagwu said the Oborevwori administration does not support political intimidation or violence, irrespective of political affiliation.

He said the governor has directed security agencies to conduct an impartial investigation and ensure that everyone connected with the incident, including those who allegedly instigated or carried out the attack, is brought to justice.

He said some suspects had been arrested and allegedly confessed to participating in the killing, and urged security agencies to pursue the investigation to its logical conclusion.

On the 2027 elections, Aniagwu said the governor and the Delta APC Campaign Council had resolved to make issues, governance and performance the central focus of their campaign.

He said Oborevwori had urged supporters to avoid attacking opponents and instead present the administration’s achievements.

“Even if Oborevwori starts commissioning projects every day from today, he will not have enough time to commission all the projects his administration has executed,” Aniagwu said.

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He also disclosed that the state government was preparing to empower 15,000 indigent Deltans through its social investment programme, with verification to ensure assistance reached genuine business owners and operators of micro-enterprises.

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