The Edo State government has cited heavy rains as the reason for the current slow pace of road projects execution in the state. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, made this statement during the ministry's monthly media briefing, appealing to residents to be patient with contractors. He emphasized that no construction engineer would embark on fixing roads during the rainy season.
Afegbua, joined by other commissioners and officials, stated that the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration would embark on massive repairs of all dilapidated roads as soon as the rain subsided and the dry season set in. He accused the immediate past administration of bad road construction, which has led to the collapse of road infrastructure across Edo State. The governor's administration aims to turn the narrative around.
According to Afegbua, any attempt to embark on road repairs during the rainy season would amount to wastage of construction materials. He noted that the level of road decay experienced now suggests that the immediate past administration did a bad job. Afegbua frowned at criticism from supporters of the previous administration, stating that the decay is evidence of poor-quality jobs.
The commissioner referenced an assessment of roads in the GRA, Iyekogba Estate, Irihrih, and Okoroma areas, which were purportedly done by the Obaseki-led administration. He expressed wonder at the celebration of these projects, given their current state of disrepair. Afegbua emphasized that roads should last a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years.
Afegbua urged Edo people to be patient with the governor, stating that he is determined to make Edo roads motorable for users. He emphasized that the Governor Okpebholo-led administration is committed to its responsibility of addressing developmental challenges confronting the state. The administration aims to contend with both emerging and inherited challenges.
The commissioner highlighted that the current administration is deliberate and determined to improve the state's infrastructure. He noted that the previous administration under Governor Godwin Obaseki had rehabilitated and repaired some roads in the Benin metropolis. However, Afegbua emphasized that these projects were not done to the required standards.
The Edo State government, under Senator Monday Okpebholo's leadership, is committed to ensuring that the state's roads are motorable. The administration will embark on massive repairs of dilapidated roads when the dry season sets in. Residents are urged to be patient and give the government time to address the state's developmental challenges.
Key points
- The Edo State government has blamed heavy rains for the slow pace of road projects execution.
- The government has accused the previous administration of bad road construction.
- The administration aims to repair dilapidated roads when the dry season sets in.
