ASABA: The Emerging Metropolitan City

Asaba was made capital city in 1991, it was a sleepy town with a low-density population dominated mainly by farmers and indigenes who are involved in petty trading. As Delta State capital, Asaba is a hub of government action and business activities. 

Asaba is strategically located on a hill at the western edge of the majestic River Niger. The historic River Niger is a trans-African link beginning from Futa jallon mountain in Guinea and down into the Atlantic Ocean. Asaba forms a connector between western, eastern and northern Nigeria through the River Niger from the north and via the Asaba Niger Bridge, an east west link and a Nigeria landmark.

The rate of development the State has achieved these past five years is quite visible, especially, in Asaba, the State capital. The city is gradually growing into an urban area, which could be comparable to any old Nigerian cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano among others.

Under Senator Ifeanyi Okowa the capital city and territory continue to wear the look of true seat of government of an oil-rich State and a modern city. Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has displayed a highly developed craftsmanship in his work and the evidence of his constructive leadership is seen in doing the needful and towing worthy practical steps. From the way the governor has carried on, he is a man who came into governance with a mind-set of what he will do to make the State capital a modern city.

Popularly called the roadmaster, under Okowa several streets and adjoining roads around the State capital have received major uplift. Many have been commissioned. In fact, a lot has been achieved in terms of construction, rehabilitate and maintenance of several roads. Flood & Erosion Control Measure have also been put in place to halt perennial flooding of the State capital. The Cable Point road dualization, Okpanam road dualization and the DLA road, which is almost completed, among others, are very critical to smooth commuting within the State capital.

Within the State capital, apart from road projects, the Okowa administration has also taken bold steps in other spheres of development which include the reconstruction of the Asaba International Airport runway and taxi way, Construction of a befitting State Library building, the construction of multi-billion storm drainage projects to solve the perennial flooding challenges in Asaba the State capital and other remarkable urban renewal projects.

In all, the new face of the State Capital, in terms of road infrastructure, expansion of the Ogbe-ogonogo market among others is traceable to the visionary leadership of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in setting up Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency and the vigour that the Director General, Mrs. Mrakpor has shown since assuming office.  

There is no doubt that anyone who has not visited Asaba in the last six years will surely be awed by the new and modern city that the State capital has become.