Abandoned Agbor-Amukpe road: Community begs FG to complete project to end kidnapping

August 23, 2025 by Simon Utebor, Asaba

The indigenes and residents of Abavo community of Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State have appealed to the Federal Government to come to their rescue over incessant kidnappings occasioned by the abandoned Agbor-Amukpe road project.

The President General of the Abavo Clan Union (ACU), Mr. Justine Onyeibe, made the appeal during a press conference held at Abavo Town Union hall over the terrible state of the 10-year-old project.

He said the neglect of this vital infrastructure had led to a rise in criminal activities and economic stagnation in the area.

Onyeibe highlighted the dangerous conditions of the road, describing them as creating an ideal environment for criminal operations.

He termed the ongoing situation a “kidnappers’ perfect hunting ground,” emphasizing that commuters are vulnerable to ambush due to the road’s terrible state.

He said the dilapidated condition—marked by potholes and often turning into a muddy track during rainy seasons—poses not just an inconvenience but a significant threat to community safety.

Onyeibe pointed out that the contract for the crucial economic corridor was awarded in 2014 in two sections, with the section spanning Agbor-Amukpe assigned to the Construction and Civil Engineering Company (CCECC).

He said although contractors were mobilised for the project between 2015 and 2016, work has not continued, leaving the project in a state of abandonment for several years.

The community leaders and traditional rulers present at the conference resonated with Onyeibe’s concerns, raising the urgency for government intervention to revitalize the project and restore safety and economic viability to the area.

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Onyeibe described the human and economic cost of the neglect, painting a picture of “perishable dreams” where agricultural produce like yam, cassava, plantain, and tomatoes “rot in heaps by the roadside” because farmers cannot get them to distant markets.

“The dualisation of this road is nothing short of a revolution for Abavo,” he asserted, outlining its profound potential impact on Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry.

He argued that a completed road would slash transport costs, attract large-scale agro-investors and processing plants, create jobs for the youth, and transform Abavo from a bypassed town into a commercial hub and also provide quicker access to healthcare and education.

Calling the project “a covenant with the people,” Onyeibe urged the government to see it through to timely completion.

“Our message to the Federal Government is simple and clear: eliminate the scourge of kidnapping on this highway by completing its dualisation,” he stated emphatically.