Editorial: A Call for Urgent Intervention: Warri’s Failing Road Network

Editorial

The city of Warri, once a bustling hub of commerce and industry in Delta State, is now grappling with a severe infrastructural decline, particularly in its road network. From Okumagba Avenue to Airport Road, and the ever-busy Jakpa Road, Refinery road, and several parts of the city, motorists and pedestrians alike are forced to navigate pothole-ridden routes that pose daily risks to lives and livelihood. These roads, now reduced to muddy, uneven trails during the rainy season, have become a symbol of neglect in a city that deserves far better.

Residents and business owners have expressed frustration over the worsening condition of the roads, citing increased vehicle damage, traffic congestion, and rising transportation costs. The economic implications are far-reaching. Delivery services are slowed, traders find it uneasy to get to the market , and healthcare emergencies face delays due to impassable routes. It is disheartening that a city with Warri’s rich contribution to the state’s economy is left to deteriorate in this manner.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, since assuming office, has shown commendable interest in infrastructural development across Delta State. However, Warri’s road network remains a glaring gap in the administration’s progress. While recent works in parts of Asaba and Ughelli are appreciated, there is an urgent need to replicate such efforts in Warri, where the decay of critical road arteries demands immediate attention.

The people of Warri are not asking for luxury; only for roads that are safe, motorable, and worthy of a major urban centre. A functional road network would not only ease movement but also encourage investment in the area. It is a call to action that cannot be delayed any further.

We respectfully urge Governor Oborevwori to prioritize the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Warri’s roads, to avoid deteriorating infrastructure that will erode the economic and social fabric of this once-thriving metropolis.

Editorial -Congress Newspaper