The Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, has appealed to residents to be patient with the state government over the condition of roads across the state, saying major road rehabilitation works will commence during the dry season.
Afegbua said attempting to carry out extensive road repairs during the current rainy season could result in the wastage of construction materials and resources.
The commissioner stated this while addressing journalists during the ministry’s monthly media briefing.
He was joined at the briefing by the Commissioner for Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Chris Okaeben; Executive Secretary of the Edo State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency, Kenny Okojie; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, Dr. Andrew Iyamu.
According to Afegbua, the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo is committed to addressing the state’s infrastructure challenges, particularly the deteriorating road network.
He attributed much of the current deterioration of roads in Edo State to what he described as poor-quality construction projects carried out by the immediate past administration.
“Edo State Government, under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo, is very much alive to its responsibility, ensuring it contends with developmental challenges confronting the state, both emerging and inherited ones,” he said.
“Of critical reference is the issue of roads. If we had an opportunity like the previous government of doing credible, quality and durable roads, we will not be complaining or lamenting now.
“A lot of these roads within the Benin metropolis were actually rehabilitated and repaired during the previous government under Governor Godwin Obaseki.”
Afegbua also criticised supporters of the immediate past administration who, he said, have been questioning the current government’s response to the deteriorating road infrastructure.
He cited roads in areas including the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Iyekogba Estate, Irihih and Okoroma as examples of roads he claimed were rehabilitated under the previous administration but have since developed potholes and other forms of deterioration.
“The level of road decay experienced now is that the roads then were quantity, not quality jobs,” he said.
“If you go there now, the roads are full of potholes and decayed infrastructure. One begins to wonder what the celebration was about. Roads were supposed to last a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years.”
The commissioner said the government was documenting the condition of roads across the state as part of its assessment and response to criticisms over the pace of road repairs.
Addressing residents who have expressed concerns over the worsening condition of roads during the rainy season, Afegbua urged them to remain patient, insisting that the government would embark on extensive rehabilitation when weather conditions become suitable.
“No construction engineer will attempt to fix potholes or bad roads during the rainy season. We are experiencing heavy rain now,” he said.
He assured Edo residents that the Okpebholo administration remained determined to restore the state’s road infrastructure and make roads across the state more motorable.
