By Sunday Apah
Residents of Ofagbe Community in Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State, have held a demonstration to express their frustration with the extensive delays and reported substandard work on the 24-kilometer Isoko Ring Road.
They are urging Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to cancel the contract awarded to Dora-Dan Global Resources.
Led by Community President-General Engr. Cyril Jeke, protesters voiced strong dissatisfaction with what they described as the contractor’s failure to complete this essential infrastructure project, despite several attempts by the state government to intervene.
During the protest, Engr. Jeke criticized the contractor for an apparent “lack of capability and expertise,” pointing out that the project has seen little progress years after it was initially awarded under former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The community explained that the road, which connects Ellu, Ovrode, Ofagbe, Orie-Irri, Okpe-Isoko, Uro-Irri, and Ada-Irri, was originally due for completion by December 2022. They expressed disappointment that construction remains far from finished, forcing locals to cope with deteriorating living conditions.
Jeke mentioned that multiple high-level efforts have been made to address the issue, including a visit by the Deputy Governor and an inspection by Governor Oborevwori in March 2025. These interventions led to an increase in the contract value to encourage better performance from the contractor. Despite the revised budget, the community reports no substantial advancement on the project.
He also noted that a strategic meeting in June 2025—attended by stakeholders, government representatives, and the contractor, and facilitated by the Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Audit, Engr. Dr. Goodnews Agbi—resulted in a pledge from Dora-Dan Global Resources to return to the site and expedite work. “That commitment has not been meaningfully honored,” the community stated.
While acknowledging repeated assurances from the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, that the state government remains dedicated to finishing the project, the community insists that the lack of visible progress contradicts these promises.
Protesters condemned the slow pace of work as “unacceptably sluggish” and cautioned that further delays would intensify residents’ difficulties, particularly with the approaching rainy season.
“The road has turned into a daily ordeal for travelers and residents. Local commerce is paralyzed, access to basic services is heavily restricted, and our community faces relentless hardship,” their statement declared.
Demonstrators carried signs with messages such as “Contractor is Incompetent—Revoke the Contract,” “Public Funds, No Progress—Why?”, “Further Delay is Unacceptable,” and “Delayed Development is Denied Development.”
They outlined the severe human and economic impact of the stall, noting that farmers cannot move their goods, pregnant women face obstacles reaching medical care, and entire communities risk isolation during heavy rains.
The community is now appealing to Governor Oborevwori to end the current contract and reassign it to a more capable contractor with a demonstrated ability to finish the project within a realistic timeframe.
“We believe in the Governor’s MORE Agenda, but that promise must be backed by decisive action when a contractor clearly underperforms,” community leaders asserted, adding that public patience has been exhausted.
In response to the protest, the Chief of Staff of the Government House in Asaba, Hon. Johnson Erijo, praised the community for choosing a peaceful method to raise their concerns rather than taking matters into their own hands.
Erijo recognized that the Deputy Governor, the Commissioner for Works, and the Governor had previously given commitments regarding the road. He assured protesters that their grievances would be relayed to the governor.
“I will ensure His Excellency is informed of your protest. As you have rightly emphasized, the government does not tolerate poor performance. Appropriate measures will be taken,” he stated.
He further reassured the community that the state government will review their situation and implement suitable actions to resolve the issue.
