The Edo State government has attributed the poor state of roads across the state to shoddy construction works carried out by the immediate past administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki. According to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, an assessment of some roads constructed or rehabilitated under the Obaseki administration showed that several had developed potholes and were already deteriorating. This has led to widespread criticism of the current administration's handling of road infrastructure.
Afegbua made these comments during the ministry's monthly media briefing, where he urged residents to be patient with the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration. He assured that massive road repairs would be carried out during the dry season, as the government is wary of commencing major road repairs during the rainy season. This, he explained, is because such efforts could result in the wastage of construction materials and public funds. The commissioner emphasized that the government is committed to reversing the trend and making roads across the state motorable.
The commissioner specifically mentioned that several roads within the Benin metropolis were rehabilitated and repaired during the immediate past government. However, he accused the previous administration of executing poor-quality road projects, which contributed to the deterioration of road infrastructure across Edo State. Afegbua also criticized supporters of Obaseki for attacking the present administration over the condition of the roads, saying the level of decay suggested that the projects executed by the previous government were not durable.
Afegbua cited specific examples of roads that have deteriorated, including the GRA, Iyekogba Estate, Irihrih, and Okoroma roads. He stated that these roads were purportedly done by the Obaseki-led administration but are now full of potholes and decaying. The commissioner expressed concern that this has led to criticism on social media, with many wondering what the current administration is doing to address the issue.
The commissioner emphasized that the level of road decay experienced now is a result of "quantity, not quality jobs" executed by the previous government. He stated that roads are supposed to last a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years but are already deteriorating. Afegbua assured that the Okpebholo administration is determined to reverse this trend and make roads across the state motorable.
Afegbua also mentioned that no construction engineer would attempt to fix potholes and bad roads during the rainy season. He explained that the government is experiencing heavy rain now and therefore will not commence major road repairs until the dry season. This, he said, is to ensure that construction materials and public funds are not wasted.
The Edo State government has faced criticism over the condition of roads in the state, with many calling for urgent action to address the issue. The current administration has promised to prioritize road infrastructure and make roads across the state motorable. With the dry season approaching, residents are expecting significant improvements in the state's road network.
Key points
- The Edo State government has blamed the poor state of roads on shoddy construction works by the previous administration.
- The government has promised to carry out massive road repairs during the dry season.
- The commissioner for Information and Strategy has criticized the previous administration for executing poor-quality road projects.
