Scores of youths on Tuesday took to the streets in Delta State to protest the abandonment of a major road construction project, accusing the contractor and government authorities of neglect and broken promises.
The protesters, who blocked sections of the dilapidated road with tyres, placards, and tree branches, said the project — linking several communities in the Ughelli North Local Government Area — had been left unfinished for over two years, despite repeated assurances from state officials.
Chanting solidarity songs, the youths lamented that the poor state of the road had crippled economic activities, caused frequent accidents, and made it nearly impossible for residents to access markets, schools, and healthcare facilities.
“We are tired of empty promises,” said one of the leaders of the protest, Emmanuel Efe. “During the last election, they told us the road would be completed in six months. Now, two years later, it’s worse than before. We cannot continue to suffer in silence.”
The youths also accused the construction company of abandoning equipment on-site and diverting resources to other projects, while communities in Delta were left stranded.
Speaking to reporters, a representative of the state Ministry of Works, who declined to be named, acknowledged delays in the project and attributed them to funding and logistical challenges. He, however, assured that work would resume soon.
Security operatives, including police and local vigilantes, were deployed to prevent the protest from escalating into violence.
Community leaders have urged both the government and the contractor to engage with the youths and provide a clear timeline for the road’s completion to avoid further unrest.
