By Awhawha Awhawha
The Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, on Monday, stated that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is building bridges of possibility connecting communities and laying the foundation for progressive development.
Speaking during an interview on ADBN Television, Aniagwu noted that Delta State has become a land of bridges not only physical structures but also symbolic connections among its people.
“We are constructing a significant number of bridges,” he said. “Let me emphasize for the record: these bridges are built to bridge a gap, and that means where there are gaps of connectivity somewhere Oborevwori builds bridges to facilitate human interaction.”
He described the many physical and social divides that once separated communities, rivers and ravines that forced school children to wait for unstable boats, isolated farmers from the market, and distanced families and friends. But, he added, these divides are now being closed one bridge at a time.
He cited the Beneku Bridge as a prime example. It now stands firmly over the sacred river that once divided Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East. For years, crossing this river demanded courage and patience as people relied on rickety barges. Today, the bridge has become a unifying symbol no longer are the people separated by water, but connected by shared purpose.
Further downstream, the Asaba-Ase Bridge is linking Isoko South to Asaba-Ase in Ndokwa East, while the Ayakoromo Bridge in the southern part of the state is being fast-tracked. With its bold design featuring 34-meter spans over the unpredictable River Forcados, it connects Ughelli South to Ayakoromo and neighboring communities in Burutu local government area, ushering in new opportunities for shared development.
“These are not just bridges,” Aniagwu emphasized. “They are bridges of possibility.”
In the Trans-Warri Corridor, 19 bridges are being constructed each one a thread in the fabric of regional unity. Each tells a story of vision, governance, and the refusal to let geography determine the destiny of the people.
In the city of Warri and its environs, flyovers are under construction to reduce traffic congestion at key junctions, including PTI Junction, DSC Roundabout, and Enerhen Junction. When completed, commuters will no longer endure endless gridlock, marking a significant shift in urban mobility.
Aniagwu also highlighted the importance of political alignment with the central government, noting that such alignment has brought Delta State closer to the nation’s key sources of power and resources.
“We are the number one contributor to Nigeria’s central purse by virtue of our vintage position in oil production,” he said. “Yet for too long, we stood outside the dining room, hungry, while the feast continued inside.”
Addressing political dynamics in the state, Aniagwu stressed that the existence or strength of a political party does not depend solely on the governor’s affiliation.
“Even if a party has only two or three members in a particular area, it can still mobilize and grow,” he explained. “From councilorship to chairmanship, House of Assembly to the National Assembly even to the governorship growth is always possible.”
He dismissed the notion that only the ruling party is functional, stating that political evolution is natural, and individuals have the right to choose their affiliations freely.
“No political party has been deregistered by INEC,” he said. “New parties can still be formed. Unlike in the military era, where only two parties existed the SDP and NRC today’s democracy encourages diversity.”
Aniagwu described the current political climate as one of evolution, where some parties gain regional strength—like APGA in the Southeast—while others aim for national reach, like the PDP, APC, and recently, the Labour Party.
“Tradition doesn’t come from one act,” he added. “It evolves. Over time, what begins as a trend becomes part of the people.”
He concluded by reaffirming the importance of good governance, not the number of parties.
“What matters is not how many parties exist, but the direction we are going. If we deliver on governance and earn the people’s trust, that becomes the real measure of political strength.”
