BENIN: Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has summoned contractors handling sections of the Benin-Sapele Road to give explanations over the slow pace of work despite being financially mobilized by the state government.
The governor, who expressed displeasure during an inspection tour of the project on Sunday evening, warned that contractors found wanting could face sanctions if immediate steps were not taken to speed up construction.
Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua in a statement said Senator Okpebholo drove through the over 20-kilometre stretch of the road, stopping at several points to inspect the quality of drains, pavements and other materials used.
He also interacted with motorists caught in traffic gridlock along the road, many of whom expressed appreciation for the state government’s collaboration with the Federal Government in tackling the long-neglected highway.
The governor’s tour included stops at Peanut Junction, Ogheghe Junction by Akenuwa Community, Ogheghe Road off Sapele Road and the Old Road, which he noted had been abandoned by previous administrations despite repeated promises.
Speaking after the inspection, Okpebholo said his administration remained committed to easing the suffering of Edo people and reviving economic activities in the area by ensuring timely completion of the project.
“I have inspected what they are doing and the work is solid and good. But the problem is the level of speed which is not good for me. People are suffering due to the slow pace of work and we have to do something drastic to ensure that the road is motorable, by reducing the plight of the people who are using the road,” the governor said.
He also expressed concern over the design of the drainage system, which he said ended midway into the town without proper water outlets.
“The second segment of the road, which is another 7km, will soon commence. But apart from the road, the drain is important to us because it is responsible for taking water out. The design stopped the construction of the drainage system at the middle of the town. The question is, where will the water go to? We will look at the design again to ensure that the one we will finally construct, takes water out of town and de-silts it at the proper place. When this is done, it will enable us have a good and lasting road after the completion,” he explained.
Okpebholo stressed that the plight of road users was his government’s top concern, assuring residents that measures would be put in place to fast-track the project.
