Vice President Kashim Shettima and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, have inaugurated the newly constructed 33.5-kilometre Elele-Egbeda-Omoku dual carriageway in Rivers State.
The major infrastructure project, constructed to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activities, links communities across Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Areas of the state.
Performing the official commissioning of the road on Thursday August 20, 2026, Vice President Shettima described the project as an example of a subnational government’s contribution to expanding Nigeria’s road network and enhancing the movement of people and goods.
Shettima said roads remain critical instruments of development, providing access for farmers to markets, traders to customers, workers to employment, students to schools and patients to healthcare facilities.
He recalled that the road, before its reconstruction, had become a major source of hardship for commuters because of deep gullies and security challenges.
The Vice President commended Governor Fubara for transforming the once deplorable route into a modern dual carriageway with street lighting, saying the intervention would improve safety and economic activities along the corridor.
In his remarks, Governor Fubara said the completion of the project had transformed a route previously associated with avoidable man-hour losses and insecurity into a fast and secure highway.
According to him, the Elele-Omoku Road is not just a signature project but an expression of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of Rivers people.
“For anybody who understands the nature of this road, they will appreciate what we have done here. It’s not just a project; it’s a statement that we have made to show our people that we care for you.
“We already know what normally happens on this road. It is a corridor for kidnap; it is also a very big corridor for bunkering. I’m very, very convinced that with what we have done today, those things will be things of the past. Security agencies can now operate effectively along this corridor”.
Governor Fubara acknowledged the support of communities along the route, saying their cooperation contributed to the successful delivery of the project.
He also expressed appreciation to the Vice President for attending the commissioning ceremony, describing his presence as evidence that Rivers State remains an integral part of Nigeria.
“For a long time, I felt that maybe, we’re not part of this country. But today, I feel very happy that our country is also standing by us. I feel happy and fulfilled that even in the face of all our trials, the face of all the ordeals that befell this administration, there are still positive things that people can see and look at and say: ‘Yes, you meant well for the people,” he said.
Earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Professor Temple Nwofor, said the project was delivered in line with high engineering standards and specifications to guarantee its long-term structural integrity.
Nwofor disclosed that the contract was awarded to Messrs Craneburg Construction Company on March 26, 2024.
He said the project included six kilometres of drainage, a 99-metre-long by 11-metre-wide bridge at the Ubimini axis and full street lighting along the entire length of the highway.
“The basic specifics of this project is a total construction and rehabilitation of approximately 33.5 kilometers of road works with a width of 7.3 meters on both sides of the dual carriageway, an asphaltic binder course of 50mm, an asphaltic wearing course of 50mm, a concrete shoulder of 1.2 meters on both sides, and a concrete median of 1.4 meters.
Nwofor noted that the road project represents another significant step in the determination of the Rivers State Government to provide durable infrastructure that will improve connectivity.
