Outgoing Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has called for early check on activities of tanker drivers in Oghara, Ethiope West Council area of the state, to avoid hours of traffic gridlock in the area.

The governor made the call while commissioning an 8.25 kilometer road which links Oghara with the dualised Ugbenu/Koko Road which was also constructed by the Dr Uduaghan’s administration.

According to him, land for tank farms was allocated without due consideration for the effects of having tankers plying the roads and where the tankers will use as parking space and as such, proactive measures should be taken to check the menace of the tanker drivers.

“I am glad we constructed this road, this road is going to be very busy,” he said, stating: “I am a little bit worried about the tankers causing heavy obstructions on the road, causing challenges for our people, that is why we constructed this road to ease traffic in the town.”

He added: “The tankers are becoming a menace, so, we must do something about the tankers, we did not put into consideration so many things before we gave them land for their tank farms.”

The governor who could not hide his excitement that the road was constructed, asserted: “This road is very significant because it links two local governments areas I can say I am from, Ethiope West and Warri North Local Government Areas, I also recall with nostalgia my last encounter with my cousin through this road during the civil war when we passed through this road from Oghara to Koko where they were recruiting soldiers, he was taken and I came back alone but that was the last time I saw him, he did not return from that war.”

While commending the quality of work done on the road, Governor Uduaghan expressed fear that the tankers may cause early damage to the road.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Works in the state, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon had said the road, which was constructed with the sum of 2.4 billion naira, had a spur of 600 meters to the Independent Power Plant (IPP) project, Oghara and had asphalted shoulders.

Also speaking at the occasion which was attended by traditional rulers and people from the host communities, the Chairman of Ethiope West local government council, Hon. Solomon Golley while thanking Governor Uduaghan for constructing the road observed: “This road project is very important to us, it will ensure free flow of traffic in Oghara.”

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