Residents of Orhuwhorun Community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, mostly women have staged a peaceful protest over the deplorable condition of the Orhuwhorun–Owhrode access road and what they described as prolonged government neglect of the area.
The protesters marched through the community carrying placards with various inscriptions, including: “Governor Sheriff Oborevwori Remember Orhuwhorun-Owhrode,” “Fix the Orhuwhorun–Owhrode Access Road,” “The Orhuwhorun–Owhrode Road is Not Motorable,” and “Orhuwhorun–Owhrode Needs Government Attention.”
They appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently intervene, lamenting that the bad state of the road has subjected residents to hardship, increased transport fares, and disrupted economic and social activities in the area and neighbouring communities.
Speaking during the protest, a community High Chief, Oghale Ighodakpo, said the demonstration was peaceful and aimed at drawing government attention to the suffering of residents.
He said the continued neglect of the road had worsened economic conditions for traders, workers, and businesses that rely on the route for daily movement.
Ighodakpo called on the state government to prioritize the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the road, describing it as critical to the socio-economic development of the community.
The Vice Chairman of Orhuwhorun Community, Chief Cyril Onojeghuo, said the road has become a major barrier to commerce and mobility, affecting students, traders, and motorists who depend on it.
Women leader, Mrs. Victoria Ashakpoke, described the road condition as unbearable, noting that transporters now avoid the route due to its swampy and dilapidated nature, forcing residents to pay higher fares.
She said, “The daily challenges we face accessing neighbouring communities are painful. Due to the poor state of the road, we pay double transportation fares because no commercial transporter is willing to pass through the swampy road. Our economic activities, essential services and the overall well-being of our people are being affected.”
Another resident, Mrs. Yellow Okorume, appealed for urgent government intervention, stressing that the road had been neglected for too long.
Also speaking, Mrs. Esther Adama warned that the deteriorating condition of the road poses safety risks, especially during the rainy season when sections become almost impassable.
She urged the government to act swiftly, noting that good road infrastructure remains essential for economic growth, security, and community development.
The protesters maintained that their demonstration was peaceful and a collective appeal for urgent government attention to restore accessibility and improve living conditions in the community.
