BENIN: Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has flagged off emergency palliative works on several failed sections of federal roads in the Edo North Senatorial District.
The project covers approximately 9.61 km of road, including key routes such as the Auchi-Igarra-Aiyetoro-Unemu-Nekhua-Aiyegunle-Ikpeshi-Ibillo-Ekor-Ikiran-Oke axis.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Fred Itua, in a statement said Senator Okpebholo emphasized that the initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the state’s development.
“Today, we are flagging off these roads to ensure we have good highways in Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial Districts,” the governor said.
He added that his recent meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja resulted in a directive to rehabilitate potholes on all roads, regardless of whether they are state or federal.
Governor Okpebholo affirmed the administration’s dedication to improving the lives of Edo residents through better roads, education, healthcare, and security.
“We will continue to bring development to Edo people because we care about our people and we want to improve their lives for the best,” he stated.
In addition to road repairs, the governor made a strong pledge to tackle insecurity, specifically addressing the issue of kidnapping in the Edo North area.
“I assure you that the business of kidnapping will never thrive here. We must take a decisive action as these criminal elements must leave our forests,” he said.
The governor vowed to take personal charge of the security situation.
“I will relocate to Edo North if that is what it will cost me to flush out criminal elements from the area as I will not leave this to security agencies alone. Together, we will smoke them out from this area.”
Governor Okpebholo also addressed the pressing problem of gully erosion in Auchi, promising to follow due process to find a lasting solution.
He pledged to personally inspect the affected areas and send engineers to conduct an assessment.
Hon. Oloruntoba Bamidele praised the governor’s efforts, noting that the road repairs would significantly reduce criminal activities.
Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, also assured the governor of the legislature’s full support.
The governor and his entourage later visited the gully erosion site on Water Tanker Road in Auchi and other affected areas.
