Okpebholo Begins King’s Square Road Rehabilitation, Says Mayaki
The Edo State Government has commenced road rehabilitation at King’s Square, popularly known as Ring Road, in Benin City, with John Mayaki, Director of Media of the Edo State Presidential, National Assembly and State House of Assembly Campaign Council, insisting that Governor Monday Okpebholo is fulfilling his promise to improve the state’s road network.
Mayaki, in a statement on Tuesday, October 13, defended the commencement of the project amid criticism from some commentators over the timing of the rehabilitation, particularly as the rainy season has yet to completely subside.
He said the governor had listened to complaints from residents about the deteriorating condition of roads across the state and promised to commence extensive construction and rehabilitation once the rains reduced.
According to him, the commencement of work at King’s Square demonstrates the administration’s commitment to delivering on that promise.
Mayaki criticised those who had previously condemned the condition of roads but were now questioning the decision to begin rehabilitation, arguing that the government was taking advantage of a temporary break in rainfall to accelerate infrastructure development.
He described the critics as “emergency engineers” and “social media engineers,” accusing them of shifting their arguments rather than acknowledging the commencement of work.
“They complained when the roads were bad. Now that the governor has commenced work, they are complaining again,” he said.
Mayaki also dismissed suggestions that the rehabilitation was being undertaken to impress the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ahead of her anticipated visit to the state.
He argued that road projects were primarily intended to improve the daily lives of residents and should not automatically be interpreted through a political lens.
He cited previous road construction projects at Utteh, Amufi and Okpagha, questioning whether those interventions were also linked to visits by prominent political figures.
“Must every development in Edo State be given a political interpretation?” he asked.
The campaign council’s media director further defended the governor’s earlier disclosure that an estimated ₦250 billion would be required for extensive road reconstruction, drainage improvement and erosion-control projects in the Government Reserved Area (GRA).
Mayaki said the estimate had also attracted criticism despite repeated complaints about the condition of roads and drainage infrastructure in the area.
He maintained that the government’s infrastructure plans should be assessed based on their potential benefits to residents rather than political considerations.
According to him, some commentators on social media have allowed political disagreements to overshadow the administration’s development efforts.
He, however, expressed confidence that residents would recognise the importance of the ongoing projects and judge the government by the results delivered.
Mayaki reaffirmed the support of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Okpebholo’s development agenda, pledging that the party would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure across Edo State.
He said road construction and rehabilitation should be viewed as essential public services rather than partisan activities.
Mayaki described the ongoing works as evidence of the governor’s determination to improve the state’s road network, expressing optimism that more infrastructure projects would follow.
He concluded by describing Edo State under Okpebholo’s administration as a construction site, citing the ongoing interventions as a sign of the government’s commitment to development.
