The Projects Implementation and Monitoring Department (PIMD) has commended Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, for the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of roads and other critical infrastructure across the state.
The Special Adviser to the PIMD, Mrs Phoebe Williams-Bello, gave the commendation on Wednesday during the department’s quarterly inspection of ongoing projects in Benin City.
Williams-Bello said the governor’s administration had demonstrated commitment to infrastructure development by embarking on what she described as “massive and brave” road construction projects less than two years into office.
She noted that despite the heavy rains being experienced across Edo, contractors were still working on various project sites, which she attributed to the administration’s continued funding of the projects.
“Presently, we are in the rainy season, and Edo has a lot of rainy weather, if not more than the dry season, and contractors are still on sites. Why? Because the governor is funding the projects,” she said.
The PIMD adviser urged contractors to prioritise concrete works during the rainy season and maintain the quality of construction.
She added that contractors working in areas where projects had not yet reached the pavement stage had been advised to carry out palliative works to ease the difficulties faced by road users.
Williams-Bello expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work observed at the project sites visited by the inspection team.
At the Adesuwa Flyover project, the Technical Officer in charge, Mr Shola Adegboye, said the project had reached about 60 per cent completion.
Adegboye explained that the construction team was taking advantage of the rainy season to concentrate on concrete works, including pile caps, retaining walls and piers.
“We are taking advantage of the rainy season to focus on the concrete works, so that by the time the dry season sets in, our concrete is already up. Then we can do our filling and the project begins to take shape,” he said.
He added that the project remained within its stipulated completion timeline.
However, an engineer with the state Ministry of Works, Mr Theophilous Obasuyi, put the level of completion of the Adesuwa Flyover at 50 per cent, while also expressing confidence that the project was progressing within the agreed timeframe.
Similarly, Mr Mohamed Fathy, an engineer handling the 4.7-kilometre Uhie road project, assured that the road would be completed and delivered within the stipulated period.
Other projects inspected by the PIMD team included the rehabilitation of the Benin-Sapele Road, Benin-Sapele Water Storm Project, Evbukhu and Old Road construction, Ramat Park Flyover and Oghgeghe Road construction.
The inspection is part of the department’s efforts to monitor the progress and quality of ongoing government projects across Edo State.
