The Edo State Government has intensified efforts to transform the state’s road infrastructure, with major projects ongoing across the three senatorial districts under the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The projects, which cut across Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North, are expected to improve connectivity, boost economic activities, enhance access to rural communities and stimulate development across the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Implementation and Monitoring, Engr. Phoebe Williams-Bello, disclosed this during a quarterly inspection tour of ongoing projects across the state.
The inspection commenced in Edo South, moved through Edo Central and concluded in Edo North, with the monitoring team assessing the progress, quality and pace of work on various strategic road projects.
Speaking with journalists during the exercise, Williams-Bello expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded on several of the projects and commended the contractors for their commitment to delivering quality infrastructure.
«“I am satisfied with the level and pace of work on these strategic road projects. I commend the contractors for their commitment and urge them to continue delivering quality infrastructure in line with the vision of the Governor Monday Okpebholo administration,” she said.»
She noted that the projects reflected the administration’s commitment to balanced and sustainable development across Edo State, adding that improved road infrastructure would strengthen connectivity between communities while creating better opportunities for residents.
The Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Works, Engr. John Obanor, said the government would continue to closely monitor the projects to ensure that technical issues and defects identified during construction were promptly addressed.
Obanor stressed that the government would not compromise on quality, established standards or timely completion, noting that effective monitoring was essential to ensuring value for public funds.
Major Projects Across Edo Central
Among the projects inspected in Edo Central were the reconstruction of Afua Road and the construction of Jealousy Street, including three spur roads in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.
The team also inspected the construction of the Akho-Agua-Ehanle-Ewu Road in Esan Central Local Government Area and the Ukpoke-Uhiele Road in Esan West.
Other projects visited included the construction of Ebhebe, Eko-Omonua and Ebhoje roads in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, alongside several other ongoing road projects.
Contractors handling the projects expressed confidence that the works would be completed within the agreed timelines, assuring residents that the roads were being constructed to meet required quality and durability standards.
Edo North Projects Receive Attention
On the third day of the quarterly inspection tour, the monitoring team moved to Edo North, where it assessed several major projects being executed by the state government.
Projects inspected included the Ikabigbo-Ekperi Road, which links Etsako West and Etsako Central Local Government Areas.
The team also inspected the reconstruction of the Ujemen-Iruekpen-Ozalla-Sabongida-Ora-Afuze Road, which cuts across Owan West and Owan East Local Government Areas.
Another major project inspected was the gully reclamation and channelisation work at Idatto/Ikabigbo along the Auchi-Agenebode Road in Etsako West Local Government Area.
The inspection team commended the progress recorded at the various project sites, while the contractors reaffirmed their commitment to completing the works according to specifications and within schedule.
Resident Commends Okpebholo, Seeks Erosion Control
A resident of Afashio in Etsako West Local Government Area, Mr. Bernard Ozemoya, praised the Okpebholo administration for what he described as its visible commitment to infrastructure development and the protection of lives and property.
Ozemoya particularly commended the Governor’s efforts in tackling cultism and other forms of insecurity in the area, pledging his continued support for the administration.
He, however, appealed to the state government to urgently intervene in the erosion challenges affecting parts of Afashio community.
The quarterly inspection tour highlights the Okpebholo administration’s emphasis on project monitoring and accountability, with the government seeking to ensure that projects awarded across the state are properly executed and completed.
With road projects spread across Edo Central, Edo North, Edo South and other parts of the state, the administration says the investments are aimed at improving connectivity, stimulating commerce, opening up communities and bringing development closer to residents.
