Tension escalated in Ofagbe Community, Isoko North Local Government Area, as residents staged a massive protest over the prolonged delay and alleged substandard execution of the 24-kilometre Isoko Ring Road, demanding the immediate termination of the contract awarded to Dora-Dan Global Resources.
The aggrieved community members, led by President-General Cyril Jeke, decried what they described as years of abandonment, accusing the contractor of gross incompetence and failure to deliver on a project considered critical to the socio-economic survival of the area.
Addressing protesters, Engr. Jeke stated that despite multiple interventions by the Delta State Government, the project has remained largely uncompleted years after it was awarded during the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The road, which links several communities including Ellu, Ovrode, Ofagbe, Orie-Irri, Okpe-Isoko, Uro-Irri, and Ada-Irri, was initially scheduled for completion in December 2022.
However, residents lamented that the project has since stagnated, worsening living conditions and isolating communities.
Community leaders recalled a series of high-level interventions, including inspections by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Deputy Governor, as well as a contract sum review aimed at facilitating progress.
Despite these measures, they said there has been no meaningful improvement on site.
Further efforts to revive the project, including a June 2025 stakeholders’ meeting facilitated by the Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Audit, Goodnews Agbi, reportedly yielded a commitment by the contractor to remobilise.
The community, however, insists that the promise has not translated into visible results.
Describing the pace of work as “snail-like, unacceptable, and a betrayal of public trust,” protesters warned that continued delays could plunge the area into deeper hardship, particularly with the onset of the rainy season.
“The road has become a nightmare. Economic activities are paralysed, access to healthcare is severely constrained, and our people are suffering daily,” the community declared.
Placards displayed during the protest bore strong messages such as “Revoke the Contract Now,” “Government Funds, Zero Progress,” and “Development Delayed is Development Denied,” reflecting growing frustration among residents.
They highlighted the severe human and economic toll, noting that farmers are unable to move produce, pregnant women face life-threatening challenges accessing medical care, and entire communities risk being cut off during heavy rains.
While reaffirming their confidence in the administration’s MORE Agenda, the protesters urged Governor Oborevwori to take decisive action by revoking the contract and re-awarding it to a capable contractor with proven delivery capacity.
Responding, the Chief of Staff, Government House Asaba, Johnson Erijo, commended the peaceful conduct of the protest and assured the community that their concerns would be escalated to the governor.
He reiterated the government’s zero tolerance for substandard projects, assuring that appropriate action would be taken after due consideration of the issues raised.
Despite the assurances, residents insist that only swift and decisive intervention can restore confidence and bring long-awaited relief to the affected communities.
