By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Edo State Government has appealed to residents and motorists using major roads across the state to bear with the current challenges caused by ongoing road construction and heavy rainfall, assuring that work will resume fully once the rains subside.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said the state government was aware of the difficulties being experienced by motorists and residents, stressing that all major roads linking Edo State from various entry points had been awarded for repairs or reconstruction.
Afegbua explained that the persistent rainfall had slowed down construction work, noting that road repairs could not progress effectively under the current weather conditions.
He cited the Benin-Ore Road as one of the major projects affected by the heavy rains, saying work on the road had temporarily stopped because of the prevailing weather.
The commissioner said the Benin-Agbor Road was also undergoing reconstruction, including plans for a 10-lane road under a concession arrangement, but added that the rainfall had made rapid progress difficult.
“The Benin-Warri Road suffers similar fate. It is instructive to note that all the roads leading in and out of Edo State from the different locations have all been awarded,” Afegbua said.
He said Governor Monday Okpebholo had identified road infrastructure as one of his administration’s major priorities from the outset, particularly following what he described as the abandonment of several roads by the previous administration.
According to him, the Benin-Irrua Road, which had been abandoned, was restored to public use through remediation works within two months of Okpebholo assuming office.
Afegbua added that the governor had also invested in other link roads across the state and constructed a flyover at the Ramat Park end of the Benin-Agbor Road.
While acknowledging the difficulties residents currently face, the commissioner appealed for patience, saying the government was equally concerned about the condition of the roads.
“To all the members of the public, to our Edo sons and daughters, and all others who ply these roads, we implore you to bear with us for now, as we look forward to when the rains will subside, to enable us immediately re-embark on the road works to ease mobility across the state,” he said.
“Due to the peculiar nature of road construction in all climes, including our dear state, our hands are tied. Please bear with us.”
The commissioner said the government shared in the difficulties being experienced by residents and was committed to accelerating construction work once the weather improved.
“Once the rains slow down, we will speed up the works on the affected roads to remedy the situation,” Afegbua said.
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to rebuilding critical infrastructure across Edo State and delivering on its development promises.
