Some parts of dilapidated roads in Edo State
Residents of Benin City, Edo State have criticized Governor Monday Okpebholo for intervening in repairs of federal roads while state owned roads were left in a state of disrepair.
The residents urged Governor Okpebholo to stop using money accruing to Edo State on federal government projects.
They said roads in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) have failed and not motorable.
It would be recalled that Governor Okpebholo has embarked on reconstruction of 23 kilometres of the Sapele road axis of the East-West road.
He is also assisting the federal government to fix failed portions of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi highway.
Last week, Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, handed over the completion of one full carriageway from Ewu to Agbor to the Edo State Government. The Federal Ministry of Works would handle the design while execution would be managed locally by the State Government.
Besides roads in the GRA, several other state-owned roads have failed and are in need of urgent repairs.
A commercial driver, who plies between Ring Road and Ebvuotubu, Joseph Ikpigho, said he spent more money to fix his car due to bad roads.
Head of Talakawas
in Edo State, Kola Edokpaiyi, said it was busy body that made Governor Okpebholo abandoned State owned roads that are crying for attention in favour of Federal Roads.According to him, “There are so many deplorable state roads in Edo State that are not motorable. We expect the Governor of Edo State to quickly give attention to them all before considering Federal Roads if the state is too rich.
“The Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi has visited federal roads in Edo State about two times to ascertain how deplorable the roads are. He has already given the brief to Mr. President. We expect the Minister to swing into action based on the huge finance allocated by Federal Government to get the work done.
“I want to appeal to His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo to address the so many state roads that are bad.”
Edo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Paul Ohonbamu, said the Governor’s intervention in federal roads necessary to prevent kidnappings and armed robbery.
Ohonbamu said repair work on the state roads would commence after the raining season.
He said Governor Okpebholo planned holistic approach to fix the roads.
