In a statement released on Wednesday, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s chief press secretary, Fred Itua, said that the governor had finished corrective work on the Benin-Iruekpen federal road, which would facilitate traffic flow for drivers.
During a tour of the expressway, which included stops at Aduwawa, Obadan Junction, Ugha, Okhuo, and Obagie, among other locations, Okpebholo expressed satisfaction with the contractor’s work and acknowledged that Edo residents also use federal roads.
The governor also reaffirmed his commitment to working with the federal government to enhance road infrastructure in the state. “You can see what my administration has done in terms of fixing federal roads in the state. Initially, the road was not passable as several accidents were recorded on this road, and lives were lost as well,” he said.
“We once had a government in Edo State that used to place signboards across all federal roads with the inscription ‘This is a federal road, bear with us.’ But today, we know Edo people ply these roads, and it is now Edo roads. By the grace of God, we will continue to move forward to see that our people enjoy good roads across the state.”
Okpebholo mentioned the impact of the completed roadwork, stating, “For me, working for my people is the only thing that can give Edo people happiness and joy. Reducing the time of travel along this road is our achievement. A journey that will take up to four hours is now 45 minutes.”
He also aligned his efforts with the federal government’s vision, saying, “We have keyed into Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which has given Edo people hope—the hope of progress. With this road, prices of products will go down as the good road will reduce travelling time and positively affect the cost of transporting goods and services.”
The governor inspected a number of other road projects outside the expressway, such as the Oba Erediuwa Road (off Upper Mission Road), the Ekiuwa University of Benin Road (Temboga Road Extension), and the roads in Ekiuwa Uteh, Orior-Ozolua, and Ekiuwa Quarters.
At Uteh Temboga, he looked at a sizable drainage project intended to direct floodwater into the Ikpoba River.
Showing his dedication to the people, Okpebholo stated, “I work because I love my people and want to give them the best. I work because I have a working President who, at every point in time, asks me about Edo people.
“I need to show him proof of what I am doing for my people. I want Edo people to know that their votes were worth it, and the only way to pay them back is to work for them and ensure their lives get better.”
The governor also visited a Temboga gully erosion site where a number of homes had been destroyed, forcing landlords to rent out their properties.
Site engineer Obuh Ugochukwu explained the difficulty of recovering erosion-affected land while applauding the Okpebholo government for its action.
