Niger Delta
‘Oborevwori Has Zero Tolerance For Cutting Corners’

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, has said the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has zero tolerance for shabby jobs and sharp practices in projects delivery.
Speaking to journalists during an unscheduled inspection of the ongoing flyover bridge at PTI Junction, Effurun, in Uvwie Local Government Area, the Commissioner emphasised that the Governor was committed to quality and would never allow anything that deviates from project specifications.
Izeze said the clarification became necessary following a viral video that trended midweek, alleging that the rods being used for the construction of flyover bridges in Effurun and Warri are 10mm in diameter, contrary to the 16mm provided in the BEME.
“The reason we are here today is to address a malicious claim that the rods being used for the project are 10 millimeters in diameter, which is simply untrue”, he declared.
Izeze continued that, “This project has been designed by some of the best engineers in the country and is being supervised by top professionals within the Ministry of Works.
“The Governor is known for his consistent commitment to quality. He supervised the construction of the Osubi Airstrip by Julius Berger over 20 years ago and has visited this site more times than I can count.
“He has closely followed every process because this project is very dear to his heart; he is dedicated to giving Warri and Uvwie a much-needed facelift.
“In his pursuit of quality projects, he has mandated that our certification process will now involve dual oversight: after the Ministry of Works certifies a project, the Special Project unit will also conduct its own certification. This illustrates his deep concern for the quality of his projects.
“He aims to leave a legacy of durable projects, xxrnot roads that will wash away after one or two rainy seasons.
“Meanwhile, someone who cannot accept the outcome of the last election has publicly alleged that this project is not being constructed according to specifications, despite not having seen the Bill of Quantities.
“We attempted to clarify the situation, but he insisted that the rods used are 10mm. As an engineer, I believe in facts: we have measured the rods with a vernier caliper, and they are 16.0mm.
“To further reinforce our position that this project will stand the test of time, every piece of steel used has been imported, which accounts for the difference in cost compared to local contractors.
“The misinformation being spread by this individual is completely unfounded, and despite our repeated explanations, he continues to spread it with enthusiasm”.
Mr. Thomas Haug, the Project Manager of Julius Berger, affirmed that the rods being used are 16mm, contrary to the speculation that they are 10mm.
He stated that all the rods are imported and not locally produced in Nigeria.
“We are working according to specifications, and we are confident that the project will stand the test of time”, he stated.
Albert Ograka,
Asaba
Niger Delta
Tompolo, N’Delta’s Distinguished Son – Oborevwori
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has described renowned Niger Delta activist and former militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, as a distinguished son of the Niger Delta.
He said Tompolo has made remarkable contributions to the peace, stability, and development of the region and the nation at large.
The Governor, who stated this in a statement recentl by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, at an event marking the 54th birthday of Tompolo, commended the ex-militant for his role as Chairman of Tantita Security Services.
He said “Tompolo’s leadership had been instrumental in the fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta, leading to improved oil production and enhanced national revenue”.
The Governor also acknowledged that both the state governments of the Niger Delta and the Federal Government recognize and appreciate Tompolo’s unwavering efforts in promoting peace and security in the region.
“On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Delta State, I extend my heart-felt congratulations to a true son of the Niger Delta, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, on the occasion of his 54th birth anniversary.
“Tompolo has played a vital role in the progress of the oil-rich Niger Delta and has consistently collaborated with regional and federal authorities to sustain peace and development.
“As he celebrates his birth anniversary, it is our prayer that God continues to bless him with good health, wisdom, and strength to further his service to the nation and humanity”, the Governor said.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
Niger Delta
AfDB President Pledges Investment In C’River’s Health, Agric Sectors

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has pledged significant investment in Cross River State’s health and agriculture sectors.
Adesina made this commitment on Thursday during a state banquet held in his honour by the Cross River State Government, in connection with the launch of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) project.
He stated that the AfDB would support the State Governor, Bassey Otu’s efforts to revitalise primary healthcare centres and strengthen the state’s health insurance initiative.
Adesina also encouraged the adoption of a sustainable, franchise-based business model for healthcare delivery to enhance accessibility and improve quality of care nationwide.
Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about the SAPZ project, describing it as a “game-changer” for Cross River’s economy.
“We will help ensure that primary healthcare centres are not only revitalised but also digitally connected to allow seamless access and portability of health records,” he said.
Adesina also lauded the governor’s collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) on the Bakassi Deep Seaport project, noting that it positioned Cross River to become a key logistics and industrial processing hub.
In his remarks, Otu reiterated his administration’s commitment to achieving economic independence and reducing overdependence on federal allocations.
He identified three strategic development pillars, security, food security, and energy security as essential to unlocking sustainable growth in the state.
The Governor also highlighted plans to integrate Cross River into regional economic corridors with Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, while boosting agricultural productivity through large-scale cultivation of cocoa, cassava, and other key crops.
Niger Delta
‘Agro-Processing, Key To Non-Oil Exports, Industrial Growth’
The Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, has described agro-processing as a critical enabler of Nigeria’s non-oil export drive and industrial transformation.
Enoh said this recently during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Calabar, Cross River State.
According to him, the initiative, driven by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in partnership with the Federal Government and other stakeholders, will it enhance food security and accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward industrial prosperity.
“I am glad to report that today the Ministry of Industry and that of Agriculture and Food Security are working together to secure the food prosperity of our countrymen and women.
“The collaboration is also to see the extent to which this can crystallise into industrial growth and development of our country.
“If you look at examples of all countries around the world that have achieved industrialisation, you will notice that they have had to move from agricultural growth, progress and development to attainment of industrial growth and prosperity.
“It is important that everybody understands and appreciates the fact that this event is actually going to crystalise into food security and industrial growth”, he said.
He further said SAPZs were instrumental in converting raw agricultural produce into finished goods for export, thus boosting Nigeria’s GDP and reducing dependence on oil revenue.
“We must move beyond celebrating the export of cocoa beans and start exporting finished cocoa products. That is how to unlock real economic growth”, he stated.
The minister challenged stakeholders to move the country from exporting primary products to processed goods.
“The SAPZ is the game-changer that will help us industrialise, create jobs, and increase exports of made-in-Nigeria goods”, he said.
Also speaking, Mr Abdul Kamara, AfDB’s Country Director for Nigeria, said that the SAPZ programme was one of the bank’s top priorities, with over five billion dollars in operations tied to its success.
“When I was deployed to Nigeria six months ago, the AfDB President, Akinwunmi Adesina, gave me a clear mandate, to untangle every impediment delaying the SAPZ.
“Today’s event is evidence of progress”, Kamara said.
He praised the collaboration between the federal and state governments, and development partners including the Islamic Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
“We are building a full end-to-end value chain that will transform Nigeria’s rural landscape into zones of economic prosperity,” he said.
The National Coordinator for the SAPZ project, Dr. Yusuf Kabir, said that the programme had now reached implementation stage with all transaction advisors onboarded in the eight participating states.
“A zone without investment is a stranded asset. The role of transaction advisors is to ensure these zones attract investors and deliver results,” he said.
Kabir commended the Cross River State government for its swift commitment to the project, noting that Gov. Bassey Otu showed leadership by taking ownership of a project he did not initiate.
“I have met all the governors involved, and he was the only one I did not need to meet twice. He took the project personally and gave it priority,” he said.
The SAPZ in Cross River is part of a broader nationwide initiative aimed at creating agricultural transformation centres that will stimulate private investment, reduce rural poverty, and improve food systems.
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