The Edo State Government has assured residents and road users that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo is committed to rehabilitating and reconstructing major roads linking the state to neighbouring states.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, made this known in a statement on the state of roads across Edo State, noting that all major roads leading into and out of the state have been awarded to contractors for rehabilitation or reconstruction.
Afegbua attributed the recent slowdown in construction activities to persistent rainfall, which he said had made it difficult for contractors to sustain work on several road projects.
According to him, the Benin-Ore Road, which is currently undergoing repairs, has been temporarily affected by heavy rainfall, while similar challenges have slowed work on the Benin-Agbor and Benin-Warri roads.
He explained that the Benin-Agbor Road is undergoing major reconstruction under a concession arrangement, with plans for the road to eventually become a 10-lane corridor.
The commissioner said the government was aware of the difficulties being experienced by motorists and other road users, stressing that the administration shared in the concerns of residents over the current condition of some roads.
“Once the rains slow down, we will speed up the works on the affected roads to remedy the situation,” Afegbua said.
He recalled that Governor Okpebholo, upon assuming office, identified road infrastructure as one of his administration’s first major areas of intervention, particularly roads he said had been neglected by the previous administration.
Afegbua also highlighted the Benin-Irrua Road, which he said was restored for public use through remediation works within two months of the administration taking office.
He added that the government had invested heavily in other link roads across the state and had constructed a flyover at the Ramat Park end of the Benin-Agbor Road.
The commissioner appealed to Edo residents, indigenes and other road users to bear with the government while the rainy season persists, assuring them that work would resume at an accelerated pace once weather conditions improve.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to rebuilding critical infrastructure across Edo State and delivering on its promises to the people.
“We share in the pains of our people and are deeply concerned by the reality of the present state of our roads,” Afegbua said.
