The Edo State Government has directed the immediate commencement of temporary repairs on a damaged section of the Benin Bypass after haulage equipment belonging to Build Well Nigeria Limited reportedly destroyed part of the federal highway, disrupting the free flow of traffic.
The Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Project Implementation and Monitoring, Phoebe Williams-Bello, disclosed this on Monday after inspecting the affected section at Idogbo on the Benin Bypass.
Williams-Bello said the company had accepted responsibility for the damage and signed an undertaking to carry out palliative repairs on a 150-metre stretch of the road.
According to her, the state government will also engage relevant agencies to ensure that the repair work complies with approved engineering standards.
“Following our inspection, the company responsible has accepted liability and signed an undertaking to carry out palliative repairs on about 150 metres of the damaged road. We will also meet with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the repair work meets the required engineering standards,” she said.
She reaffirmed Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to safeguarding public infrastructure, stressing that the administration would continue to hold individuals and companies accountable for any damage caused to government assets.
Also speaking, the Federal Controller of Works in Edo State, Babatunde Tajudeen, described the incident as unacceptable, noting that the Benin Bypass is a critical federal road that should be restored without delay.
Tajudeen explained that the affected section is part of an ongoing 45-kilometre rehabilitation project being executed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), extending from Oluku Junction to Sapele Road.
The Chairman of the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, Eugene Okolosie, said officials intercepted those responsible for the incident and impounded the haulage equipment involved.
He added that the equipment would remain in the committee’s custody pending the outcome of investigations and full compliance with government directives.
The Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Ministry of Works, John Obanor, assured that the ministry would supervise the repair works to ensure they meet the required quality standards.
Representing Build Well Nigeria Limited, Samuel Opeyemi pledged the company’s full cooperation with the government and confirmed its commitment to carrying out the agreed repair works.
The assurances were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele.
