Edo Bad Roads: Incessant Rains Stalling Repairs, Says Afegbua as Govt Appeals for Commuters’ Patience, Understanding

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Following severe knocks over the deplorable condition of roads in Edo State, particularly interstate link roads, the state government, on Monday, craved the understanding and patience of the people, especially commuters, in fixing the roads blaming the delay on incessant rainfall.

In a statement signed by the commissioner for Information and Strategy Prince Kassim Afegbua, titled “Edo State on the Road to Good Roads,” the government said it shared in the pains of the people and is deeply concerned by the reality of the present state of the roads, assuring that once the rains slowed down, works on the affected roads would be expedited to remedy the situation.

Frowning at what he described as “uncharitable” commentaries from members of the public, including those who by their profession, should know what obtains on road construction, Afegbua disclosed that all roads leading to Edo state, have all been awarded to contractors for repairs, but were being hampered by the rains.

The commissioner cited in particular the notorious Benin-Ore, Benin-Agbor, and the Benin-Warri Roads which had become commuters’ nightmares, with many taking to the social media to share their harrowing experiences.

The statement reads:

“It has become necessary to let the good people of Edo State know that Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo and his team are working night and day to deliver all the dividends of democracy which he earlier promised, including building cosmopolitan infrastructure. Regarding the roads linking Edo state from the various entry points, we have read some commentaries from members of the public, including those who by their profession, should know what obtains on road construction, but have chosen to be uncharitable.

“We want all concerned to know that all roads leading to Edo state, have all been awarded to contractors for repairs. The delay in fixing them has been due to the incessant rainfall that invalidated the weather forecast. The repair works cannot progress in the rain. For example, the Benin-Ore road, which is undergoing repairs, is presently halted because of the heavy rainfalls. 

“Ditto for the Benin- Agbor road, which is also undergoing serious reconstruction, to birth a 10-lane road under a concessionaire arrangement. Work has since begun on all these roads, but the rains have made rapid progress formidable in recent times. 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.

“On assumption of office, Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor of Edo state, announced that his first major intervention would be in the area of roads; which were obviously recklessly abandoned by his predecessor. The Benin-Irrua road that was also abandoned was immediately restored for public use, through remediation works, within two months. The Governor has invested heavily on other link roads also, across the state; and built a flyover at the Ramat Park end of the Benin-Agbor road. Inasmuch as impediments remain, expedited action is impeded. 

“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 to re-embark on the road works to ease mobility across the state. Due to the peculiar nature of road construction in all climes, including our dear state, our hands are tied; please bear with us. 

“We share in the pains of our people and are deeply concerned by the reality of the present state of our roads. Once the rains slow down, we will speed up the works on the affected roads to remedy the situation. We count on your understanding and cooperation, as we remain committed to rebuilding critical infrastructure across the state and delivering all the other dividends of democracy.”