Edo Blames Rainfall For Slow Pace Of Major Road Projects
The Edo State Government has attributed the slow pace of rehabilitation and reconstruction of major roads connecting the state to neighbouring states to persistent rainfall, assuring residents and motorists that all major entry and exit routes have been awarded for construction.
The state government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo remained committed to rebuilding critical infrastructure and improving road connectivity across the state.
Afegbua explained that ongoing construction works on the Benin-Ore, Benin-Agbor and Benin-Warri roads had been affected by heavy rainfall, which had made it difficult for contractors to sustain construction activities and maintain the pace of work.
According to him, the Benin-Agbor road is undergoing major reconstruction under a concession arrangement, with the project expected to transform the route into a 10-lane highway upon completion.
He added that construction work had also commenced on the Benin-Ore and Benin-Warri roads before the persistent rains disrupted the projects.
The commissioner said road infrastructure was identified as one of the priority areas of the Okpebholo administration upon assumption of office, particularly in view of the condition of several roads which he said had been abandoned by the previous administration.
He cited the Benin-Irrua road as an example, noting that the government moved quickly to restore the route to public use after it had been abandoned.
Afegbua said remediation works on the Benin-Irrua road were completed within two months of Governor Okpebholo assuming office, describing the intervention as part of the administration’s efforts to address critical road infrastructure across the state.
He further disclosed that the government had invested in the construction and rehabilitation of several link roads across Edo State, including a flyover at the Ramat Park end of the Benin-Agbor road.
The commissioner assured residents and motorists that work on the affected projects would resume at an accelerated pace once the rains subside, stressing that the government remained determined to complete the projects and improve movement of people and goods across the state.
He appealed to Edo residents, travellers and other road users to exercise patience and bear with the government over the current difficulties caused by the condition of some major routes.
Afegbua acknowledged the hardship being experienced by motorists and residents, assuring them that the state government shared their concerns and would continue to prioritise the reconstruction of critical roads and other infrastructure needed to improve mobility and stimulate economic activities across Edo State.
