Edo govt to intervene in failed portions of Oluku road – Obanor

From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin

The Edo State government has announced plans to intervene in failed portions of the Oluku axis to address the deteriorating condition of the road and ease the difficulties faced by motorists.

The Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Works, Mr John Obanor, disclosed this during an interface with journalists in Benin City on Monday, where he said the government had mandated relevant officials to follow up on the road failures at Oluku and develop appropriate intervention measures.

Obanor said the planned intervention reflected the commitment of the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo to addressing critical road infrastructure challenges across the state.

A truck laden with petroleum products, while attempting to manoeuvre its way through the deplorable sections of the Oluku Road, had fallen, spilling its contents onto the road.

The spillage subsequently triggered a fire outbreak, which razed several shops and left several people with varying degrees of burns.

He explained that the high volume of heavy-duty and articulated vehicles plying roads in Edo State had contributed significantly to road deterioration, particularly as the country’s railway system remained largely underutilised.

According to him, Edo State’s strategic position as a major transit corridor connecting different parts of the country exposes its roads to considerable pressure from heavy-duty vehicles, making regular maintenance and timely intervention necessary.

The Permanent Secretary assured residents that the government was working to identify critical road failures and implement appropriate measures to address them.

He added that the government remained committed to ensuring that contractors fulfilled their contractual obligations, stressing that any defects identified on road projects before their formal handover must be remedied by the contractors at their own cost.

Obanor further explained that mechanisms, including retention payments and maintenance periods, were in place to hold contractors accountable for the quality and durability of road projects.

He noted that contractors were also being directed to submit updated work programmes to enable the government to monitor progress effectively and ensure timely project delivery.

The Permanent Secretary reiterated the government’s determination to address road infrastructure challenges across Edo State, while calling for the cooperation of residents, contractors and the media in supporting ongoing efforts to improve the state’s road network.