By joshua Benin-Ore, Benin-Agbor, Benin-Warri Roads Awarded For Reconstruction
— Gov Okpebholo
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
The Edo State Government has attributed the slow pace of rehabilitation and reconstruction of major roads linking the state to neighbouring states to persistent rainfall, assuring motorists and residents that all major entry and exit routes have been awarded for construction.
The government said the development was not a reflection of abandonment of the projects, but a temporary setback caused by the prolonged rains, which had made it difficult for contractors to effectively execute road construction works.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, on Monday , the state government said the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo remained committed to rebuilding critical infrastructure and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Afegbua said the Benin-Ore road, which is currently undergoing repairs, had been affected by heavy rainfall, forcing contractors to temporarily suspend some aspects of the work until weather conditions become favourable.
He said the Benin-Agbor road was also undergoing major reconstruction under a concession arrangement, with the project expected to produce a 10-lane highway capable of improving traffic flow and strengthening the connection between Edo and other parts of the country.
According to him, the Benin-Warri road is facing a similar challenge, stressing that work had commenced on the major roads before the persistent rains slowed down the pace of construction.
The commissioner said it was important for members of the public to understand that road construction was heavily dependent on favourable weather conditions, adding that attempting to carry out certain construction activities during heavy rainfall could compromise the quality and durability of the projects.
He recalled that Governor Okpebholo, upon assumption of office, identified road infrastructure as one of the administration’s major priorities, particularly following the condition of several roads across the state.
Afegbua cited the Benin-Irrua road as an example of the administration’s early intervention, saying the road, which had been abandoned, was restored to public use through remediation works within two months of the governor’s assumption of office.
He added that the administration had also invested heavily in other link roads across Edo State, while the construction of a flyover at the Ramat Park end of the Benin-Agbor road formed part of efforts to address traffic challenges and improve connectivity.
The commissioner acknowledged the difficulties currently being experienced by motorists and other road users, saying the government was concerned about the pains occasioned by the condition of the roads and was not indifferent to their plight.
He therefore appealed to Edo residents, travellers and other road users to bear with the government, assuring them that once the rains subside, contractors would return to the affected sites and accelerate construction works, as the state government remains committed to rebuilding critical infrastructure and improving mobility across Edo.