**Delta State and Niger Delta Development Commission Commence Rehabilitation of Benin‑Sapele‑Effurun Expressway**
*Amukpe Roundabout, Sapele – 31 August 2026* – Representatives of the Delta State Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) officially flagged off an emergency rehabilitation project for the Benin‑Sapele‑Effurun Expressway on Friday, marking the start of work on a 15‑kilometre stretch that has been identified as the most deteriorated segment of the corridor.
The ceremony was attended by Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Road) and Public Information, **Charles Aniagwu**, NDDC Chairman **Chiedu Ebie**, Esq., and NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer **Samuel Ogbuku**, PhD, along with other relevant stakeholders.
According to the officials present, the project targets the sections between Ajomata, Ibada‑Elume, Amupke, and Oghara, which have been described as “failed” or “degraded” and have caused significant difficulties for motorists, commuters, businesses and local communities. Contractors will work from both ends of the identified stretch to ensure continuous progress and to avoid leaving any portion unattended.
The NDDC team inspected the affected sections of the road on Tuesday, and within three days moved to the flag‑off ceremony, a timeline the officials described as a “quick response” to the pressing need for infrastructure repair in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement, the officials praised President **Bola Ahmed Tinubu**, GCFR, for his administration’s support of the project, noting that the federal government’s involvement, through the NDDC, has been instrumental in addressing the infrastructure challenges. The Delta State Government was also credited for “pulling the necessary strings” and adding its voice to the collective effort.
The rehabilitation is part of a broader initiative to improve connectivity across the Niger Delta, a region that relies heavily on the Benin‑Sapele‑Effurun corridor for trade and travel. While the current work focuses on the most critical 15 km, officials indicated that additional sections of federal roads in Delta Central remain in need of repair and will be addressed in future phases.
The project’s progress will be monitored by both state and federal agencies, with an emphasis on timely completion to provide relief to the affected communities. No further details on the project’s budget, timeline for completion, or the contractors involved were disclosed at the ceremony.
Article source: allafrica.com | Image credit: Politics Governance
