Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has said sustained and constructive engagement with the Federal Government and relevant agencies has begun yielding tangible results, following the flag-off of emergency intervention works on failed portions of the Benin-Sapele-Effurun Expressway.
Dafinone stated this after joining representatives of the Delta State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and other stakeholders at the Amukpe Roundabout in Sapele for the commencement of the rehabilitation exercise.
He described the intervention as timely and significant, noting that the Benin-Sapele-Effurun corridor remains a critical economic and transportation artery linking communities and businesses across the Niger Delta.
The senator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the management of the NDDC, led by its chairman, Chiedu Ebie, and managing director/CEO, Samuel Ogbuku, as well as the Delta State Government under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, for responding to the concerns raised over the deplorable condition of the road.
According to him, the commencement of the intervention is evidence that deliberate engagement between elected representatives, government agencies and the executive arm of government can produce concrete results for citizens.
Dafinone said, “As your Senator and representative of our people, we deliberately chose the path of critical and constructive engagement because our primary responsibility is to get things done. I do not believe that every intervention must be turned into a public spectacle.
“Sometimes, quiet, persistent and purposeful engagement produces better results than media engagement, especially when we are one government.”
The senator recalled that the deplorable state of the Benin-Sapele-Effurun road had generated considerable public concern and media attention in recent weeks, stressing that the NDDC’s swift response demonstrated the capacity of government interventionist agencies to act promptly when confronted with critical infrastructure challenges.
He disclosed that NDDC officials inspected the affected portions of the road from Benin through Sapele to Effurun on Tuesday and returned by Friday to flag off the rehabilitation, describing the turnaround time as commendable.
Dafinone said the development underscored the importance of collaboration among government agencies, political leaders and representatives of the people in addressing infrastructure challenges.
“Though this is coming now, I have been working—engaging the relevant authorities, applying pressure and pushing for concrete action. I believe results, not rhetoric, should define our efforts, and today, those results are speaking for themselves,” he said.
He also commended the Delta State Government for lending its voice and support to the intervention, describing the development as a collective effort aimed at securing relief for motorists, commuters, businesses and communities along the corridor.
According to him, the rehabilitation will cover about 15 kilometres of some of the worst-affected portions around Ajomata/Ibada, Elume, Amukpe and Oghara.
While expressing satisfaction with the commencement of the emergency intervention, the senator said the scope of work was not enough to address all the infrastructure challenges confronting residents of Delta Central.
“Our goals may not have been met, but I am particularly pleased that the intervention which covers 15km of the worst portions of Ajomata/Ibada–Elume–Amukpe–Oghara is being targeted; our people need more.
“There are so many more failed sections of Federal roads in Delta Central, and I will continue to push and press necessary buttons,” he added.
Dafinone further disclosed that the intervention was being implemented from both ends of the affected corridor, a strategy he said would ensure that attention was given to the failed portions without leaving sections of the major route unattended.
He said his primary concern was not about who received credit for the intervention but about ensuring that the road was fixed and residents obtained the relief they had long demanded.
“My concern is not about who takes the credit; my concern is that the road is fixed and our people get relief,” he stated.
The senator expressed optimism that the rehabilitation would be completed within the shortest possible time, stressing that the ultimate objective was to restore smooth transportation, improve connectivity and ease the burden on road users and businesses operating along the Benin-Sapele-Effurun corridor.
