The Edo State government has revoked the contract for the failed section of the Benin-Abraka Road at Ikpe Waterside in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. This decision was made by Governor Monday Okpebholo, following a meeting between the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, and community leaders from Ikpe Waterside and adjoining communities. The meeting was held to address the deplorable condition of the road, which had been protested by the communities.
According to Deputy Governor Idahosa, the road was divided into two sections and awarded to two contractors before the present administration assumed office in November 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 government has decided to revoke and re-award the contract to a competent contractor.
The Deputy Governor expressed disappointment over the condition of the road and assured the communities that the administration would address inherited infrastructure deficiencies across the state's 18 local government areas and three senatorial districts. 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. Idahosa also assured the stakeholders that he would personally monitor the rehabilitation process to ensure that the road was delivered to the required standard. The Okpebholo administration would not compromise on the quality of roads being constructed across the state.
The Deputy Governor listened to complaints by the communities over alleged forceful takeover of ancestral farmlands and their subsequent allocation to agricultural investors by the previous administration. He assured the stakeholders that the government would examine the issues and ensure that appropriate action was taken.
The 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, arguing that the policy had affected local farmers' access to ancestral farmlands and their traditional farming practices. The government assured the stakeholders that their concerns would receive attention as part of its commitment to inclusive development across Edo.
Key points
- The Edo State government has revoked the contract for the failed Ikpe Road and ordered a re-award to a competent contractor.
- The road was divided into two sections and awarded to two contractors before the present administration assumed office in November 2024.
- The government has 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.
