Edo Blames Obaseki’s Administration For Road Deterioration
The Edo State Government has attributed the poor condition of roads across the state to alleged substandard construction work carried out by the immediate past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki, assuring residents that comprehensive road repairs would commence during the dry season.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, stated this on Wednesday during the ministry’s monthly media briefing, where he appealed to residents to remain patient with the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration.
Afegbua explained that ongoing heavy rainfall had made the current period unsuitable for major road repairs, noting that attempting to fix potholes and deteriorating roads during the rainy season could result in the wastage of construction materials and public funds.
He assured residents that the government was committed to addressing the state’s infrastructure challenges and would embark on extensive road rehabilitation when the dry season begins.
The commissioner criticised the quality of road projects executed under the previous administration, arguing that several roads that were rehabilitated during Obaseki’s tenure had deteriorated significantly within a short period.
According to him, an assessment of roads in GRA, Iyekogba Estate, Irihrih and Okoroma revealed widespread potholes and signs of deterioration in areas where road projects had reportedly been completed by the former administration.
“If you go there now, the roads are full of potholes and are decaying. One begins to wonder what the celebration was about. Roads were supposed to last a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years,” Afegbua said.
He maintained that the quality of construction work undertaken in the past had contributed to the current state of road infrastructure, adding that the Okpebholo administration was determined to reverse the situation.
Afegbua also responded to criticism from supporters of the former governor on social media, saying the government was documenting the condition of roads across the state to demonstrate the challenges it had inherited.
“Edo State Government, under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo, is very much alive to its responsibility, ensuring it contends with developmental challenges confronting the state, both emerging and inherited,” he stated.
The commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to making roads across Edo State motorable, urging residents to be patient as the administration prepares to implement its road rehabilitation plans.
He added that major repairs would be undertaken under more favourable weather conditions to ensure the effective use of public funds and construction materials.
