The Edo State Government has attributed the widespread deterioration of roads across the state to substandard construction work carried out by the immediate past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki. According to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, the government is aware of the challenges confronting the state and is working to address them. The commissioner made these remarks during the ministry's monthly media briefing, where he was joined by other officials.
Afegbua assured residents that the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration would embark on massive road repairs during the dry season. He noted that any attempt to embark on road repairs during the rainy season would be a waste of construction materials and public funds. The commissioner emphasized that the current administration is deliberate and determined to turn the situation around and make the state's roads motorable for users.
The commissioner frowned at the criticism by supporters of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, noting that the decay being experienced now suggested that the immediate past administration did a poor job. Afegbua stated that the level of road decay experienced now indicates that the roads were quantity, not quality jobs. He cited an assessment of the GRA, Iyekogba Estate, Irihrih, and Okoroma roads, which were purported to have been done by the Obaseki-led administration.
Afegbua emphasized that roads were supposed to last a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years. He expressed wonder at the celebration that followed the construction of these roads, given their current state. The commissioner made records of these roads because they are being criticized on social media, and people wonder what the current administration is doing.
The Edo State Government has appealed to residents to be patient, saying construction engineers cannot fix roads effectively during the rainy season. Afegbua urged Edo residents to be patient with the governor, saying he was determined to make the state's roads motorable for users. He assured residents that the government is working to address the developmental challenges confronting the state.
The commissioner was joined at the press briefing by other officials, including the Commissioner for Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Chris Okaeben; the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency, Kenny Okojie; and the Special Adviser on Health Matters, Dr Andrew Iyamu. The briefing provided an opportunity for the government to address various issues and concerns.
The Edo State Government's efforts to address the road infrastructure challenges in the state are ongoing. The government is working to turn the situation around and make the state's roads motorable for users. Key initiatives will be undertaken during the dry season to repair and rehabilitate the roads.
Key points
- The Edo State Government has blamed the previous administration for the bad roads in the state, citing substandard construction work.
- The government has appealed to residents to be patient, saying construction engineers cannot fix roads effectively during the rainy season.
- The Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration will embark on massive road repairs during the dry season.
