By Oghenefejiro Emado
16, January 2026
The Delta State Government has broken ground on the construction of the 10.1-kilometer Aboh-Akarai Road, including a major bridge across the Okiri River, in Ndokwa East Local Government Area.
According to the The Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, the project, valued at ₦29.8 billion, aims to improve the lives of residents in the area by providing a direct road link between Aboh and Akarai, thereby eliminating the need for river transportation.
The Commissioner explained that the project is designed to open up the Akarai community and its environs, providing opportunities for economic growth and development.
He noted that the area is predominantly agrarian, with residents engaged in farming and fishing, but poor access due to difficult terrain has hindered economic activities and business growth.
He further explained that the road and bridge project aligns with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, which aims to provide opportunities for all Deltans, regardless of their location.
Comrade Izeze noted that the bridge component of the project spans seven sections, an upgrade from the initial five-span design, to ensure durability and resilience against flooding.
He explained that the redesign was informed by the 2012 flood level, which was used as the benchmark to guarantee that the bridge would withstand future flooding and outlive changing environmental conditions.
The Commissioner revealed that contractors had returned to site immediately after the Christmas holidays and that preliminary works, including bush clearing, had been completed and the piling would commence once the water level of the river recedes further.
The Commissioner expressing optimism that substantial progress would be achieved before the end of the year.
On his part, the Contracting Engineer, Lichaa Geagea, confirmed that preparatory works were ongoing, including site clearing, access opening, and arrangements for key facilities such as the batching plant, iron bending yard, and beam seating areas.
He disclosed that access roads to the bridge abutments had been opened and that heavy equipment, including excavators, cranes, and mixers, would arrive on site before the end of the month.
The Aboh-Akarai Road and Okiri River Bridge project is expected to significantly boost mobility, economic activities, and social integration in Ndokwa East, particularly for riverine communities that have long struggled with accessibility challenges.
