Shettima inaugurates road in Rivers

Vice President Kashim Shettima officially opened the 33.5-mile dual carriageway connecting Elele, Umudioga, Egbeda, Ubimini, Akpabu, Ikiri, and Omoku in Rivers State. The road, built under Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration, traverses Ikwerre, Emohua, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas, linking communities situated on a vital agricultural, commercial, and oil and gas route leading to Omoku, known as the state's "Gas City."

Shettima inaugurated the road on behalf of President Bola Tinubu on Thursday. The administration is committed to expanding infrastructure and economic opportunities beyond major cities to alleviate congestion, generate jobs, and foster balanced national development across Nigeria. Shettima emphasized that state-led projects align with the Renewed Hope Agenda's objective of enhancing security, welfare, and economic opportunities beyond the center.

The newly completed road will enable farmers to transport produce more swiftly, thereby reducing losses and minimizing logistics costs for businesses. Moreover, it will open up communities along the corridor to increased economic activity. Shettima recognized roads as fundamental instruments of development, connecting farmers to markets, workers to jobs, students to schools, and patients to healthcare.

He praised Governor Fubara for completing the project, affirming its alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Federal Government's support for state initiatives that promote security, welfare, and economic opportunities.

Shettima urged communities along the corridor to safeguard the infrastructure against vandalism and activities that could shorten its lifespan. Earlier, Governor Fubara highlighted that the 33.5-kilometer road, featuring a river crossing bridge, would enhance security and alleviate the long-standing troubles plaguing the three local government areas of Ikwere, Emohua, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.

He explained that previously, the road had been a hub for kidnapping, oil bunkering, and other criminal activities, promising that after its inauguration, insecurity would become a thing of the past along the route.