Community Protests Over Delayed Isoko Ring Road Project in Delta State
Residents of the Ofagbe community in the Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State have rallied to voice their discontent over significant delays and subpar construction of the 24-kilometer Isoko Ring Road project. They are urging Governor Obole Bwori to terminate the contract with Doladan Global Resources Ltd., the firm responsible for the project.
Community president Cyril Jequet led the protest, where demonstrators expressed their frustration at the contractor’s failure to execute vital infrastructure work, despite numerous interventions from the state government. Jequet criticized the contractor for what he termed a “clear lack of capacity,” highlighting that the project remains largely incomplete years after its awarding under the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The proposed road is intended to traverse Eru, Obrode, Ofagbe, Orie-Iri, Okpe-Isoko, Uro-Iri, and Ada-Iri, originally slated for completion by December 2022. However, residents are dismayed that the project is still nowhere near finished, leading to deteriorating living conditions in the community.
Jequet recounted that several high-level interventions, including a fact-finding visit by the Deputy Governor and an inspection by Governor Obolewori in March 2025, aimed to remedy the situation. Despite these efforts leading to a review of contract funds intended to boost contractor performance, he noted, “No meaningful progress was made on the project.”
During a strategic meeting in June 2025, organized by Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Audit Dr. Goodnews Agbi and attended by various stakeholders, the contractor reportedly pledged to remobilize and quicken work. Jequet expressed disappointment that this promise remains largely unfulfilled.
While the Commissioner for Works, Comrade Reuben Izeze, assured the community of the state government’s commitment to finalizing the project, residents maintain that current conditions starkly contradict these assurances. Protesters described the pace of construction as “snail-like and unacceptable,” warning that ongoing delays could exacerbate their hardships, particularly with the rainy season fast approaching.
Demonstrators articulated the severe implications of the delays, citing impediments to economic activity, restricted access to essential services, and daily hardships faced by residents. They brandished placards with messages such as “Contractors are incompetent,” and “This delay is unacceptable,” emphasizing the human and economic toll of the stalled project. Farmers struggle to transport goods, pregnant women find it challenging to access medical care, and communities risk becoming completely isolated during the rainy months.
The community is now calling on Governor Obolewori to sever ties with the current contractor and engage a more capable firm with a proven track record of timely completion. “We believe in the Governor’s MORE Agenda, but this commitment must translate into firm actions when contractors fail,” they asserted, voicing a sense of urgency amid growing frustration.
In response to the protests, Mr. Johnson Eliho, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office in Asaba, commended the community for their peaceful approach in bringing attention to their grievances. Eliho acknowledged the prior commitments made by the deputy governor and other officials regarding the road project, promising to relay the protesters’ concerns directly to the governor. “The government has a zero tolerance for substandard work, and necessary measures will be implemented accordingly,” he assured, emphasizing that the state government is committed to addressing the community’s plight.
