Benin City – Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration says it has awarded contracts for 60 road projects covering more than 549 kilometres across Edo State as part of efforts to improve infrastructure, ease transportation and stimulate economic growth.
According to the state government, the ongoing road expansion programme is one of the largest in the state’s recent history and is aimed at improving access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities and other critical services while boosting commerce and attracting investment.
Among the flagship projects are the construction of flyover bridges at Ramat Park and Adesuwa Junction along the busy Sapele Road corridor in Benin City. The government said the projects are expected to reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel time, lower vehicle operating costs and improve road safety upon completion.
Residents and road users say the ongoing works are already making a difference in parts of the state.
A trader at Upper Mission Extension, Mrs. Blessing Osagie, said improved road conditions have significantly reduced travel time for her business.
“Before, I would spend almost two hours trying to move my goods from one end of town to the other. Now the journey takes less than thirty minutes. My business has changed completely,” she said.
Commercial driver Emmanuel Idiodi also expressed optimism over the ongoing construction of the Ramat Park and Adesuwa flyovers.
“That junction used to swallow my entire morning. Seeing the work going on gives me confidence that traffic delays there will soon become a thing of the past,” he said.
The government also highlighted the rehabilitation of the Ekiuwa–University of Benin Road, describing the project as both a road reconstruction and erosion control intervention.
According to the administration, extensive reclamation works have stabilised erosion-prone areas that previously threatened homes and forced some residents to relocate.
Retired civil servant Patrick Omoruyi said he returned to his home after years of displacement following improvements in the area.
“I left the house because erosion had made it unsafe. I moved back in December after the intervention restored confidence,” he said.
Similarly, community leader Chief Mrs. Agbonlahor Eseosa described the project as life-changing, saying it enabled affected homeowners to return to their properties.
The Edo State Government said the infrastructure programme is intended to reconnect communities, support economic activities and improve the quality of life across the state, while acknowledging that continued investment and maintenance will be necessary to sustain the gains.
The administration maintains that infrastructure development remains a key priority in its agenda to drive long-term economic and social development across Edo State.
