By Elempe Dele
The reconstruction of Okpe Road from its dilapidated state has recently been concluded. This was made possible by Hon. Abubakar Momoh, the Minister of Regional Development. The rehabilitation project was done and titled Emergency Reconstruction of Okpe-Igarra Road. The project started last year and was concluded late May this year.
For over thirty years, the road was abandoned and all efforts for its rehabilitation never yielded any result until Hon. Abubakar Momoh, the then Minister for the Niger Delta Commission, wielded in.
The excited people of the entire Okpe Community have expressed gratitude to the minister for his timely intervention. Speaking with several natives this week, they retailed their profound gratitude.
“We are very happy for the reconstruction of the road as promised. I want to thank the Minister for keeping to his promise. You can see the solid road that is there. May our gods continue to bless him for us,” Monday Aideloje, the Youth Leader said in a very excited mood.
According to Chief Uye, “We are very happy, we couldnt have asked more from Engr Momoh, who only last year promised he was going to rehabilitate our bad road that has been abandoned for over thirty years. And as you can see, he started it last year and just completed it this year – in less than one year! We are thankful and excited. May the Almighty God bless him beyond expectations.”
The women folks were not also left out of the appreciation. According to Miss. Oluremi Ogunlewo and her sisters, Hon. Momoh has done beyond what was expected as the road will ultimately bring several development to the community. “We are grateful to Engr. Momoh for the reconstruction of the long abandoned road. With this road, business will be opened. Businesses such as transportation, hotels, and our sales will double since vehicles and visitors will be coming to the community. All the while the road has been in a state of dilapidation, we have been having problems of transportation to markets. Today, that is history. This year’s New Yam Festival is going to be a bomb, we are very excited. We would be inviting friends and family to come and enjoy with us.”
Several others too numerous to mention also poured encomium on Engr. Momoh for the road reconstruction. They added that his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as the Minister for the Niger Delta Commision was impactful and expect more of such impacts on the community now he has been elevated to Minister of Regional Development.
