Francis Ewherido, a cultured and non-partisan businessman based in Lagos, offers a fresh, objective perspective on governance in Delta State under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. As the Managing Director and CEO of Titan Insurance Brokers Limited, Ewherido’s insights stem from keen observation rather than political affiliation or personal gain.
In this compelling piece, he shares his firsthand experience of Delta State after an extended stay, providing a detailed assessment of the infrastructural and developmental strides under Oborevwori’s administration. His reflections highlight key projects such as flyovers, road expansions, and urban renewal efforts, showcasing the governor’s commitment to progress. With a balanced approach that acknowledges both achievements and areas for improvement, Ewherido reinforces the evolving narrative of governance in Delta State—one that prioritizes tangible impact over rhetoric.
His essay serves as an independent validation of Governor Oborevwori’s leadership, shedding light on the real transformations shaping the state.
Below is the essay By Francis Ewherido
I spent three weeks in Delta State recently, the first time I have stayed at home this long in a while. I went for some personal matters. Despite my usually short visits, Bendel State—now Delta State—is always on my mind. As an Urhobo man, you will either relocate home at some point in your life or be buried in your village when you die.
Since I could not just wait until the weekend for each of the activities that took place over three weekends, I decided to move around. I have been reading about the performance of the incumbent governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, since he assumed office. The opinions and assessments I have come across are discordant. My mother always advised us while growing up, “You do not use another person’s eyes to look at life. You use your own eyes.” That’s what I decided to do.
I love small projects that have a great impact on the lives of regular people, such as capacity building, cottage hospitals, maternities in rural areas, government primary schools, and good rural roads. But I also appreciate meaningful, gigantic projects—not white elephant projects. My interest this time around was in the large-scale projects.
My first port of call was the flyovers at PTI Junction in Effurun and DSC (Ebrumede) Roundabout, both in Uvwie. The magnitude of these flyovers exceeded my expectations. They are massive projects. I am particularly interested in them because traffic congestion in these areas can be frustrating and hellish. I have been trapped there a few times, and it was far from amusing. People have also lost their lives to speeding vehicles at PTI Junction. Travelers from Bayelsa and Rivers states to Lagos have lost precious hours at these points. Thus, these flyovers are not just large projects but solution providers, and I appreciate projects that solve problems.
Some Deltans have claimed that the flyovers benefit only non-Deltans, not Deltans. I disagree. These flyovers are crucial to Deltans in Ughelli North LGA, other parts of Delta Central, Delta South, and even Delta North. Before the Asaba International Airport, Delta State had only one airport at Osubi in Uvwie LGA before it was relocated to Osubi in Okpe LGA. Many Deltans and non-Deltans missed their flights due to the gridlock caused by the absence of flyovers at these spots. These are legacy projects.
I also visited the flyover at Enerhen Junction. Having lived in Effurun and Warri before moving to Ekpan, I know the area well. Enerhen Junction was a nightmare in those days and remains so due to the convergence of traffic from Enerhen, Effurun, and Warri. A feeder road nearby exacerbates the chaos. I once shared a story about how my father abandoned his car on Udu Road and walked through back roads (koror) to get home when we lived in Effurun in the early '80s. These three projects have been dear to my heart, and I criticized past administrations for neglecting them. Now that Governor Oborevwori is addressing them, should I stay silent? Not me—that would be witchcraft. He deserves his flowers. Governor Oborevwori, take your flowers for these projects.
What’s even more fascinating is the extent of progress on these projects in under 18 months. During my three-week stay in Delta, I observed visible advancements each time I passed PTI and DSC. Enerhen Junction, which has a long history of traffic gridlock dating back to the '70s, is finally receiving a permanent solution. Successive military and civilian governments failed to provide a flyover. Now, the incumbent governor deserves his flowers for tackling this long-standing issue.
My next stop was the Ughelli-Asaba dual carriageway. The project was initiated by the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. When Delta State was created in 1991, the old Delta Province was merged with Anioma, the Igbo-speaking part of Benin Province. Previously, there was only a two-lane road from Ughelli to Asaba. I know this route well, having lived in Ozoro from 1973 to 1980 and frequently traveling to Ughelli. When I gained admission to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, I traveled from Warri to Nsukka via this route, often encountering reckless drivers and bad road conditions.
Asaba's designation as the state capital led to increased vehicular traffic, making road dualization necessary. However, I found the pace of work under Uduaghan slow. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa continued the project, but his administration did not complete it. When Governor Oborevwori took over, he promised “absolute commitment” to finishing the road. My trip from Ekpan to Asaba and back was smooth. The only major ongoing construction was at Osisa in Delta North, a historically treacherous spot. The two bridges at Osisa are complete, with ongoing work to put them into use. This road should be ready this year, and the pace of work is commendable.
Whatever my misgivings about the Uduaghan administration, I commend him for initiating such a massive project—136km of dual carriageway is an undertaking few states would dare. I also commend Okowa for continuing it. But in a relay race, the anchor receives the most recognition for breasting the tape. Thus, the highest commendation will go to Oborevwori when the road is commissioned. For the record, less than two kilometers of this road are in Delta Central, where the governor hails from. The remaining 134km are in Delta South and Delta North.
Critics claiming that the governor is focused only on Delta Central are mistaken. Ethnic politics and chauvinism are rampant in Delta State, as in Nigerian politics. When I commented on a bridge linking Ndokwa East to Ndokwa West, someone pointed out that Okowa initiated it, not Oborevwori. That is true, but if a relay anchor stumbles or drops the baton, the whole team loses. If Oborevwori does not complete the bridge, it will be abandoned, forcing the Ndokwa people to revert to pontoons and boats. Governance is a continuum, just like a relay race.
Another legacy project is the Warri-to-Ode Itsekiri road. While I do not recall which governor initiated it, Oborevwori has assured its completion. I couldn’t visit the site, nor could I see the Orere Bridge in Ewu Kingdom, my home. However, I have received positive reports. My father was the pioneer principal of Orere Grammar School, and my late maternal grandmother had roots there. I have never visited because of the river separating Ewu from Orere—I developed a phobia for water travel after nearly drowning at age nine. I was thrilled when Okowa started constructing the Orere Bridge, and I appreciate Oborevwori’s commitment to completing it this year.
I also toured Warri, Uvwie, and Asaba. The cleanliness of Warri’s roads impressed me. Some sections of the concrete roads built in the '70s remain in excellent condition, although some surfaces are rough. The drainage work in Warri metropolis is extensive. Unfortunately, I was unable to visit the Warri Stadium under renovation. However, seeing Cavegina Primary School in a deplorable state saddened me—it was once an elite school and now needs urgent renovation.
Asaba has transformed into a proper state capital. In the mid-'80s, when I passed through on my way to Nsukka, it seemed like Onitsha’s modest sibling. By 1992, when I visited Governor Felix Ibru, improvements were minimal. Now, parts of Asaba resemble Ikoyi and Asokoro, with significant government and private developments underway.
Despite existing challenges—dilapidated schools, poor roads, uninspiring court buildings, widespread poverty, and youth unemployment—I see progress. The upcoming electricity bill will accelerate development and industrialization. Delta must also harness its agricultural potential, improve rural roads, and reorient the youth toward dignity in labor.
We need economic diversification. Reviving the Warri, Sapele, Koko, Bomadi, and Okwagbe ports with federal support would create massive job opportunities. Like Lagos, we should strive for financial independence. Unlike Lagos, intra-state rail lines are not an immediate priority. Instead, we should fix our roads and enhance water transportation.
I added Omovudu to Oborevwori’s name because, in Urhobo, it means a courageous child. His commitment to completing legacy projects and initiating new ones exemplifies this spirit. As a die-hard Nigerian, I celebrate progress anywhere in the country. Seeing it in my state makes me even happier.
•••Francis Ewherido is a Niger Delta Today columnist.
February 14, 2025
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