By Atoyebi Nike
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, says his administration will continue rehabilitating damaged federal highways across the state to ease the suffering of motorists and prevent further accidents.
The governor made the pledge on Sunday during an assessment visit to the Ogheghe-Ologbo section of the Benin–Sapele Road, which has become nearly impassable. The visit followed a petrol tanker fire on Saturday after the truck fell due to failed portions of the road.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo expressed dismay over the condition of the road, blaming the previous administration for neglect. He said the state would repair the roads first and later seek reimbursement from the Federal Government.
“This place looks abandoned. A tanker fell and burnt here, and people lost property. We cannot sit back while carnage happens daily. We will fix this road ourselves and pursue reimbursement later,” he said.
According to Williams Bello, Special Adviser on Project Implementation and Monitoring, the Federal Ministry of Works recently handed over the 10.15-kilometre stretch to the state government. The contractor handling the original 23.2-kilometre reconstruction has now extended work to the newly transferred portion, including drainage excavation to manage stormwater.
Liao, General Manager of CBC Global Construction Company, said the project has recorded progress, including 8 kilometres of stone base and 5 kilometres of reinforced concrete pavement. He expressed confidence that the work could be completed before the next rainy season.
