Delta Govt Condemns Damage To Newly Reconstructed Old Okpanam Road, Vows Prosecution
THE Delta State Government has strongly condemned the vandalisation of the newly reconstructed Old Okpanam Road, following reports that some residents damaged portions of the fresh asphalt while attempting to mount canopies for a social event.
The State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, expressed the government’s displeasure on Saturday during an inspection visit ordered by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. The Commissioner was accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Okpanam Division and other senior officials.
According to Izeze, the visit was prompted by a viral video circulated through the Governor’s whistleblower line. In the footage, some individuals were seen dragging and digging through the newly resurfaced pavement to erect canopies for a party—an action that immediately triggered public outrage.
“This visit is necessitated by the directive of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori,” he said. “Concerned citizens drew his attention to what was being done to a road that was only recently commissioned and resurfaced. A citizen shared a video recording showing people digging into the asphalted section of the road.”
He confirmed that the local government chairman had been alerted and that arrests were initially made. However, the suspects were later released on bail, necessitating the government’s physical assessment of the damage and a renewed effort to identify all culprits.
The Commissioner stressed that the administration would not hesitate to prosecute anyone responsible for damaging public infrastructure.
“I have always insisted that those who destroy government property will face the full consequences of the law,” Izeze warned. “We cannot allow society to degenerate into a Hobbesian state of nature. Law and order must guide our conduct, especially in a modern society like ours. Whoever is responsible will be prosecuted according to the provisions of the law.”
He assured that a detailed report of the findings would be submitted to Governor Oborevwori, emphasising that the state government would not tolerate behaviour capable of undermining public investments.
When asked what advice he had for members of the public, Izeze said that the outcome of the ongoing investigation would serve as the strongest deterrent.
“The best advice and deterrent is for people to see what happens to the culprits,” he said. “I also urge you, as members of the fourth estate of the realm, to monitor this process and report the final outcome to the public.”
The Commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to safeguarding public infrastructure and urged communities to take responsibility for protecting assets built for their own benefit.
