{
  "id": 10589780,
  "title": "Itsekiri Leader Pleads with FG over Abandoned Koko-Ogheye-Epe-Lagos Coastal Highway",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/itsekiri-leader-pleads-with-fg-over-abandoned-koko-ogheye-epe-lagos",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T02:42:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/29/itsekiri-leader-pleads-with-fg-over-abandoned-koko-ogheye-epe-lagos-coastal-highway/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chief Wilson Edun Olley, the Aboludero of Warri Kingdom, has implored the federal government, NDDC, and Delta State government to promptly act to complete the long-forgotten Koko-Ogbeye-Epe-Lagos coastal highway. This infrastructure, when finished, will enhance access between numerous coastal communities and major economic hubs, while creating a more efficient transportation route between Delta State, Ondo State, and Lagos. During a meeting with community leaders and Iwere community members in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Olley reminded the audience that this project, which began in 1955, has not seen any significant progress. He emphasized that the Koko–Ogheye–Epe Coastal Highway should not be viewed as merely another road project, but rather as a vital strategic corridor that would boost regional connectivity, trade, employment, security, tourism, agriculture, maritime activities, and socio-economic growth in the Niger Delta. According to Chief Olley, the project would improve access to numerous coastal communities and major economic centers, while establishing a more efficient transportation corridor between Delta State, Ondo State, and Lagos' economic axis. He noted that in 2010, the first phase of the Koko–Ogheye–Epe road project was awarded to Levant Construction Company by NDDC for ₦14.9 billion, but only a fraction of this work has been completed. In 2023, the House of Representatives called for the completion of the Koko–Ogheye–Epe road, urging the Federal Government to direct NDDC and other relevant agencies to resume construction. However, no progress has been made since then. Chief Olley lamented that after 67 years of conception by our founding fathers, this crucial road project remains abandoned. He stressed that the economic benefits of the Koko–Ogheye–Epe road are immense, as it would have improved connectivity between Koko, Ogheye, Epe, and the wider Lagos economic corridor, reducing transportation difficulties and facilitating movement of people, goods, and services, as well as stimulating trade, tourism, and private-sector investment. Moreover, the project would enhance logistics, supporting oil and gas operations and other economic activities, while strengthening agricultural value chains, including fishing and crop production. It would also improve access to healthcare, education, and other essential social services, as well as generate employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people. Lastly, regional integration between the South-South and South-West economic corridors would have been achieved. Chief Olley therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide strategic federal intervention to resolve the longstanding challenges surrounding the project by directing relevant federal institutions to collaborate with the NDDC and Delta State, Ondo, and Lagos State governments to reevaluate the project.",
  "summary": "Sylvester Idowu in Warri The Aboludero of Warri Kingdom, Opuaro Chief Wilson Edun Olley, has appealed to the federal government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Delta State Government for",
  "key_points": [
    "Chief Wilson Edun Olley urges federal government to complete Koko-Ogheye-Epe-Lagos coastal highway.",
    "Project, conceived in 1955, has seen minimal progress since 2010.",
    "Completion would boost regional connectivity, trade, employment, and socio-economic growth."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Itsekiri leader's renewed push for the Koko-Ogheye-Epe-Lagos coastal highway project signals a bid to reprioritize regional connectivity and economic growth in the Niger Delta, with potential benefits for multiple states and communities.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}