Chief Engr. Dr. Wilson Edun Olley THE ABOLUDERO OF WARRI KINGDOM (OPUARO) CALLS FOR COMPLETION OF THE ABANDONED KOKO-OGHEYE-EPE-LAGOS COASTAL HIGHWAY

A Strategic Appeal to the Federal Government, Delta State Government and Niger Development Commission. (NDDC) On behalf of All ITSEKIRI COMMUNITIES along the

strategic

alignment of Koko-Ogheye-Epe coastal highway-I Chief Engineer. Dr. Willson Edun Olley. The Aboludero of Warri Kingdom-under the authority of His Majesty, Ogiarne Atuwatse III CFR, the Olu of Warri,

Strongly appeal for urgent and coordinated action towards the completion of the long-abandoned Koko-Ogheye-Epe-Lagos Coastal Highway.

This appeal is necessary because of the strategic importance of the highway to ITSEKIRI Nation, ILAJE and IJAW communities aligned on the axis of the highway.

Koko- Ogheye- Epe Coastal high way. is a strategic infrastructure corridor with potentials for regional connectivity, trade, employment, security, tourism, Agriculture, Maritime activities and Socio-Economic development across the coast of Niger Delta.

The project will improve access between numerous coastal communities and major economic centres, while creating a more efficient transportation corridor between Delta State, Ondo State and Lagos economic axis.

A VISION THAT HAS REMAINED UNFULFILLED FOR DECADES

The historical concept of the Koko-Ogheye-Epe coastal route dates back to 1955 and has been associated with the vision of the late Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, former Federal Commissioner for Finance.

Historical accounts identify the Koko-Ogheye route as part of his broader infrastructure vision for improving transportation and economic connectivity.

Decades later, the project moved from conception towards implementation. In 2010, koko-Ogheye-Epe road was awarded by NDDC to Levant Construction Company- 1st

phase a 15-kilometre road with 180-metre bridge at contract value of approximately N14.9 billion, while the entire contract sum was N97 Billion.

The start point was Koko in Delta State, the then Governor of Delta state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan Flagg off the 1st phase of the project. However, substantial portions of the wider corridor- in the 1st phase remain uncompleted and abandoned.

In 2023 attempts by the House of Representatives to resuscitate koko-Ogheye-Epe project failed and remain abandoned till date.

APPEAL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

I respectfully appeal to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to release funds for the completion of koko-Ogheye-Epe highway and direct relevant Federal institutions to work with the NDDC, Delta, Ondo and Lagos State Government’s to complete the project.. Vis-a-Vis:-

Current technical status;

Outstanding scope of work;

*Contractual position;

*Funding requirements;

Environmental and engineering requirements;

Implementation responsibilities; and

Realistic completion programme, transparent project-monitoring framework should also be established so that affected communities in Itsekiri, lieje and ljaw Areas and relevant stakeholders can track measurable progress.

APPEAL TO THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT

I also call on His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, Executive Governor of Delta State, to sustain the State Government’s engagement with the Federal Government and NDDC and to use the available institutional channels to support the project’s revival and completion.

Delta State has direct strategic interest in ensuring that the coastal communities of Warri North, Warri South West and adjoining areas are effectively connected to the wider Nigerian economy.

APPEAL TO THE NDDC

The Niger Delta Development Commission is particularly urged to urgently undertake a comprehensive review of the project.

The current contractual status of the project. The amount previously committed and expended.

The outstanding financial requirement. The present condition of completed and abandoned sections.

The outstanding engineering and environmental requirements.

The appropriate procurement/contractual pathway for completion.

A realistic implementation schedule with defined milestones.

The ultimate objective should be completion and public value, rather than continued cycles of announcements without measurable delivery.

CONCLUSION

Koko-Ogheye-Epe Coastal highway is not competing with Lagos – Calabar Coastal Road bum a Complimentary Coastal highway Corridor that will cut down journey fime from Delta to Lagos is less than 3 hours and the regional integration and connectivity for coastal communities in Delta, Ondo and Lagos State is huge.

The economic benefits of koko port aligned with koko-Ogheye-Epe road will increase and improve haulage transportation and creat logistics hub for Oil and Gas companies along koko-Ogheye-Epe axis.

My final appeal to Mr President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,

Delta State Govemor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori NDDC, Ondo and Lagos State Government to support

koko-Ogheye-Epe coastal road and alleviate the suffering of our people.

SIGNED

Aboludero

Chief Engr. Dr. Wilson Edun Olley THE ABOLUDERO OF WARRI KINGDOM (OPUARO)