Hope rises for first-ever Escravos Road as NDDC, Chevron, team up with Delta Govt

The first-ever road to the Escavos in Delta State close to the ocean is underway as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chevron Limited, and the Delta State government have entered into partnership on the project.

According to listed information, there is there is currently no complete, direct road to the Escravos. Access to the area, which is a key oil and gas hub for Chevron, is primarily by water or air transport. Escravos is ‘slaves’ in Portuguese and served as an export point through the ocean to Europe. The river is about 57km into the Niger River to the ocean.

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Now, a major project to build a road is in the final planning stages: It is called the Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road Project: The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Delta State Government, and Chevron Nigeria Limited are collaborating on a public-private partnership to construct a 70.75-kilometer road and 29 bridges that will connect Warri to Escravos.

The project is considered vital for improving access to remote riverine communities, boosting economic activities, and enhancing the efficiency of oil and gas operations in the region.

The courtesy by the NDDC to the state governor preceded a tripartite meeting among the Delta State Government, NDDC, and Chevron to chart a clear roadmap for the project’s commencement.

Gov Oborevwori expressed satisfaction with the ongoing discussions among the partners on the project expected to connect Warri to key oil-producing coastal communities, enhancing economic activity, security, and infrastructure across the region.

Oborevwori assured that his administration was fully committed to seeing the project through, describing it as a huge project that would transform the state’s coastal communities.

He restated the state government’s readiness to partner with the NDDC on key infrastructure projects, stating, “I want to say that Delta State is ready to partner with the NDDC and Chevron to deliver this project.”

The governor also reiterated that his administration would continue to embrace partnerships that translate into tangible progress for Deltans.

He explained that the tripartite partnership would not only fast-track the project’s delivery but also strengthen collaboration for sustainable regional development.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with the NDDC and Chevron Nigeria Limited on the Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road and bridges in the Warri North Local Government Area.

Samuel Ogbuku, the NDDC managing director, led a delegation of the Commission’s Executive Management, including Victor Antai, the executive director projects, and directors of the Commission, to pay him a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba.

He restated the state government’s readiness to partner with the NDDC on key infrastructure projects, stating, “I want to say that Delta State is ready to partner with the NDDC and Chevron to deliver this project.”

The governor also reiterated that his administration would continue to embrace partnerships that translate into tangible progress for Deltans.

He explained that the tripartite partnership would not only fast-track the project’s delivery but also strengthen collaboration for sustainable regional development.

Oborevwori further restated his administration’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and cost-effective service delivery in all infrastructural projects across the state. He therefore charged both the NDDC and Chevron with determining the project’s financial value and their respective monetary contributions.

He described the Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road and bridges as a strategic corridor and investment in economic connectivity and peace-building across the riverine communities.

The governor further emphasised the importance of awarding the project to a reputable construction firm to ensure its successful completion. He assured that a technical team would be set up to collaborate with the NDDC and Chevron on project design, cost assessments, and stakeholder contributions.

Giving a summary of the project, Ogbuku noted that the road and bridges will span approximately 70.76 kilometres, starting from Omadino, near the Opumami Canal, and ending at Escravos.

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According to him, “The plan includes a main alignment of 66.54 kilometres, a 4.22-kilometre spur to Kokodiagbene, and 29 bridges linking key oil-bearing and coastal communities across Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.”

He reaffirmed the NDDC’s commitment to building strategic partnerships to enhance the quality of life of the people of the Niger Delta region.

Ogbuku recalled that the partnership between the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited and the NDDC in constructing the 25.7 km Ogbia-Nembe Road should be replicated for other projects.

He identified Escravos as an area of special economic priority, stating that NDDC was taking steps to make it more accessible by rallying stakeholder support for a broad partnership to expedite the construction and completion of the high-impact road to the area.

The NDDC boss presented an executive brief to the governor on the Commission’s discussions with Chevron to further harmonise strategies for project execution.

Segun Kuteyi, the Chevron Director of Operations and Chief Operating Officer, affirmed Chevron’s commitment to completing the Omadino-Escravos Road, which he said would link Warri to Escravos, the hub of oil and gas activities in Delta State, adding that the construction would boost oil production and other economic activities in the area.

Kuteyi acknowledged that the road would provide direct access to major oil and gas installations, including Chevron’s Escravos Export Terminal, while enhancing socio-economic activities, security response, and inter-community relations in the Niger Delta region.