By Kenneth Orusi
Chairman, Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation, Senator Ned Nwoko, has said that the Asaba/Oko-Amakom/Oko-Obiokpu/Oko-Anala Road project which transversed Oko communities in Oshimili south local government area of Delta state, has been covered in the 2025 budget.
Senator Nwoko who represents Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly and Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy visit on the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge, in his palace, recently.
Also, chief of staff to the Senator, Dr. Michael Nwoko, in a recent report, told journalists in Abuja that the senator has proposed a new coastal road that will connect Asaba to Oko, Okpai, Aboh, and Patani.
The road project, according to him, once implemented, is expected to open new economic opportunities, ease travel, and mitigate flood risks in several Delta communities. This is about more than just a road, it’s a lifeline for economic development and flood resilience in the region.
The Oko road project has been a major challenge to the Delta state government over the years due to the peculiar topography of the area. The area lies on the bank of the River Niger.
On September 16, 2021, the state government under Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, announced that it had revoked the multi-million naira contract for the construction of Asaba/Oko-Amakom/Oko-Obiokpu/Oko-Anala Road awarded in 2018 over poor performance.
The revocation came with hope to the people that it would be contracted to another construction firm, yet, six years after it was awarded with another three years down the line after it was revoked, not only that the dream of the people of seeing ongoing construction was dashed, they were equally frustrated.
This was why there was misunderstanding during the 2023 electioneering campaigns when the PDP campaign team visited the community.
It was reported that it took the intervention of the current Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Senator Nwoko, who was then the Senatorial candidate of PDP, to calm the nerves of the youths to allow the campaign team gain access into the community. During the campaign, Senator Nwoko assured them that the road would be attended to when he becomes the Senator.
This may have informed the decision of the compassionate billionaire senator whose passion for his people keeps him awake, to have attracted the Asaba/Oko-Amakom/Oko-Obiokpu/Oko-Anala Road Project into the 2025 federal budget.
Addressing the Asagba of Asaba Obi Prof. Azinge, other traditional rulers from the district and palace chiefs, Senator Nwoko said: “Some months ago, it is just over a year ago when we were campaigning, we went through Oko road.
“From Oko to Okpai. That road is terrible, it is probably the worst road in Nigeria, and I promised them that we will make it good, it will be built.
“And so, that road, is now in the budget. That is a coastal road because it leads from Asaba here, to Oko to Okpai, Aboh, Ase and all the way to Patani.
“It will actually link to other coastal roads that come through Lagos. It will make the journey easier to these areas”, Senator Nwoko added.
The inclusion of the Oko road into the 2025 federal budget is part of Senator Nwoko’s bold moves to ensure better life for his constituents. Over the years, residents of those communities have consistently suffered perennial flooding and displacement, making them become regular refugees in primary schools in Asaba.
The move to secure federal government attention to construct the road will be one of the biggest reliefs for the people of those communities along banks of the River Niger. Nwoko’s determination to transform lives of the Anioma people is a testament to his selfless disposition.
He has consistently explained that his emergence as Senator is not for personal aggrandizement but for the good of his people. Hence, he wants to ensure that he employs his influence, connections and contacts to make life beautiful for the Anioma people.
Kenneth Orusi, is the Editor-in-chief of The Story and Chairman, ICC Delta NUJ.
