Benin Residents Lament Poor Condition Of Intra-City Roads
Residents of Benin City, Edo State capital, have expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of several major roads within the metropolis, saying the situation has made movement increasingly difficult for motorists, commuters and other road users.
The complaints come amid growing concerns over the condition of major roads connecting Edo State with neighbouring Delta State, particularly the Benin-Asaba and Benin-Warri corridors, which have recently attracted public attention over their poor state.
Several roads within Benin City, including those in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), are also said to have suffered years of neglect, with some reportedly constructed decades ago without significant rehabilitation.
One of the areas attracting particular concern is the Oba Ovoranmen Square, popularly known as Ring Road, where numerous potholes and deep craters have reportedly made movement difficult. Residents said the condition of the city centre was becoming embarrassing and called on the Edo State Government to urgently intervene.
Roads linking Mission Road, Oba Market Road and Plymouth Road to the Ring Road have become difficult to navigate, particularly during peak periods when workers and traders are travelling to and from their places of work.
The situation is reportedly compounded by the activities of commercial drivers who have allegedly turned parts of the Ring Road into an informal motor park, despite previous restrictions on picking up and dropping off passengers around the King’s Square.
Several roads in the GRA are also said to be severely affected. Ihama Road, particularly around the House of Assembly Quarters, reportedly becomes difficult to access during rainfall, while Boundary Road towards Airport Road and Adesuwa Grammar School Road face similar challenges.
Giwa Amu, Gapiona and adjoining roads have also reportedly been affected by erosion, with residents attributing the recurring problem partly to inadequate drainage infrastructure for channelling stormwater.
Beyond the roads, residents expressed concern over the general appearance of the King’s Square. Gardens reportedly established around the area by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole have become overgrown, while hawkers have allegedly occupied sections of the walkways.
The National Museum, once regarded as a major attraction around the King’s Square, was also described as poorly maintained, with overgrown vegetation adding to concerns about the appearance of the city centre.
Some residents who spoke on the condition of the Ring Road said its current state was particularly troubling ahead of the 10th anniversary of the coronation of the Oba of Benin.
A resident, Osaro Idemudia, lamented the condition of the area, saying commercial buses were supposed to operate from the Central Park rather than use the Ring Road as a loading point.
He also complained about the level of dirt around the area, urging the authorities to take immediate action.
A motorist, James Igie, described the King’s Square as an important representation of Edo State and appealed to the government to urgently restore the area.
“It is sad that the Oba Ovoranmen Square was allowed to look dirty. This is not good and we hope the government will address the situation,” he said.
A businessman, Solomon Aibangbee, also expressed concern that the poor condition of roads across Edo was already creating difficulties for motorists and passengers travelling through the state.
He questioned why residents should also contend with deteriorating roads within Benin City, asking whether the Ring Road was a federal road, in reference to the frequent attribution of road failures to jurisdictional issues.
Responding to the concerns, the Managing Director of the Edo State Road Maintenance Agency, Engr. Felix Ibhade, said the state government had plans to rehabilitate the Ring Road.
Ibhade said Governor Monday Okpebholo had opted for comprehensive rehabilitation rather than temporary palliative measures, stressing that the administration wanted the road to receive full-scale asphalting.
He, however, identified persistent rainfall as one of the major constraints to ongoing road maintenance efforts, noting that some roads previously treated with amelioration measures had been damaged again by heavy rains.
According to him, the agency is waiting for the rains to subside before commencing the major intervention, adding that the project would be undertaken in collaboration with the Edo State Ministry of Works.
He assured residents that the government was committed to delivering a durable solution rather than carrying out repairs that would deteriorate shortly after completion.
The Managing Director of the Edo State Parks and Gardens Agency, Pastor Stanley Ighodaro, also said Governor Okpebholo had demonstrated commitment to improving the appearance of Benin City and other parts of the state.
He said efforts were being made to beautify the city centre as part of the administration’s broader plans for the state.
