The Edo State government has taken steps to address the deplorable condition of the Benin-Abraka Road at Ikpe Waterside in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, announced the revocation and re-award of the contract for the failed section of the road during a meeting with Okaigheles, youth leaders, and residents from Ikpe Waterside and adjoining communities. The decision was made following a protest by the communities over the road's condition.
According to Idahosa, the road was divided into two sections and awarded to two contractors before the present administration assumed office on November 12, 2024. One contractor had completed about 76 per cent of its assigned stretch, while the contractor handling the Ikpe Waterside section failed to deliver the project to the required standard. The Deputy Governor expressed disappointment over the condition of the road and assured the communities that the administration would address inherited infrastructure deficiencies.
Idahosa stated that Governor Monday Okpebholo had approved the revocation and re-award of the contract to a competent contractor. He also assured the communities that palliative works would commence on the worst portions of the road while the procurement process for the re-award of the contract was concluded. The local government would be directed to carry out emergency palliative works to ease the hardship faced by motorists.
The Deputy Governor also assured the stakeholders that he would personally monitor the rehabilitation process to ensure that the road was delivered to the required standard. He stressed that the Okpebholo administration would not compromise on the quality of roads being constructed across the state. Idahosa attributed the poor state of the road to the previous administration, stating that the current government was working to address inherited infrastructure challenges.
During the meeting, stakeholders also raised concerns over alleged forceful takeover of ancestral farmlands and their subsequent allocation to agricultural investors by the previous administration. Idahosa assured the stakeholders that the government would examine the issues and ensure that appropriate action was taken. The Deputy Governor listened to the complaints and promised to address the concerns.
Earlier, spokesperson of the protesting communities, David Ehiarinmwian, said their grievances extended beyond the deplorable state of the road. He called on oil and agricultural companies operating in the area to demonstrate greater commitment to the socio-economic development of their host communities through effective corporate social responsibility programmes. Ehiarinmwian also appealed to the state government to review the buffer-zone policy relating to the allocation of land to agricultural investors.
The Deputy Governor assured the stakeholders that their concerns would receive the attention of the government as part of its commitment to inclusive development across Edo. Following assurances by Idahosa, the protesters voluntarily dismantled barricades erected along the road, allowing motorists to pass. The revocation and re-award of the contract is part of the administration's efforts to address critical infrastructure challenges in the state.
Key points
- The Edo State government has revoked and re-awarded the contract for the failed section of the Benin-Abraka Road at Ikpe Waterside.
- The road was divided into two sections and awarded to two contractors before the present administration assumed office on November 12, 2024.
- The Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, assured the communities that the administration would address inherited infrastructure deficiencies across the state's 18 local government areas and three senatorial districts.
