The Edo State Government has appealed to residents to be patient with the current state of roads across the state, promising that massive rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts will begin during the dry season. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, made the appeal in Benin City during the ministry's monthly media briefing. He emphasized that attempting major road repairs during the heavy rains would be a waste of construction materials.
Afegbua attributed the deteriorating road network partly to poor-quality projects inherited from the immediate past administration. He cited several roads reportedly rehabilitated under former Governor Godwin Obaseki, which have developed potholes and other signs of deterioration. The condition of these roads has raised questions about the quality and durability of some projects executed by the previous administration.
According to Afegbua, properly constructed roads should serve communities for several years before requiring major rehabilitation. He assured residents that the present administration is keeping records of the condition of the roads and will undertake comprehensive repairs when the weather permits. The government is urging the people to give them time to address the challenges.
Afegbua emphasized that no construction engineer would attempt to fix potholes and bad roads during the rainy season, given the heavy rainfall currently being experienced. He added that the government is "very much alive to its responsibility" of tackling both inherited and emerging developmental challenges confronting Edo.
The commissioner made these statements alongside other government officials, including the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Chris Okaeben; the Executive Secretary, Edo State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency, Dr Kenny Okojie; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, Dr Andrew Iyamu.
The Edo State Government's decision to delay road repairs until the dry season is aimed at ensuring that the work is done effectively and efficiently. The government is committed to addressing the state's infrastructure deficit, particularly the deteriorating road network.
Residents are being urged to exercise patience and understanding as the government works to address the challenges facing the state's road network. The government is expected to commence massive rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts during the dry season, which should lead to significant improvements in the condition of the roads.
Key points
- The Edo State Government has appealed to residents to exercise patience over the deplorable condition of roads across the state.
- The government has attributed the deteriorating road network partly to poor-quality projects inherited from the immediate past administration.
- Massive rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts will begin during the dry season.
