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Edo State Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for approving funds for the immediate rehabilitation of the failed portions of Okhun Road, off Upper Siluko Road, Benin City.
Idahosa gave the commendation on Monday while inspecting the ongoing palliative rehabilitation of the road.
The Deputy Governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, said the governor’s approval demonstrated his administration’s commitment to addressing infrastructure challenges affecting residents.
He disclosed that the state government had commenced the procurement process for the full rehabilitation of the road, with provision already made for the project in the 2026 Edo State budget.
“Governor Monday Okpebholo has already mandated the Ministry of Works to start the procurement process for awarding this road.
“For those who were politicising this, this project is all about the people. The Governor is a people-centred Governor,” he said.
The deputy governor said the palliative work was being undertaken to ease the hardship faced by motorists and residents pending the commencement of the comprehensive reconstruction after the rainy season.
He said he had personally monitored the intervention for four consecutive days to ensure that the immediate rehabilitation was properly executed.
“I was here on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Today makes it the fourth day that I have been here. So far, what the construction company has done, I believe, has made the people of Ovia Federal Constituency happy,” Idahosa said.
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The deputy governor inspected the excavation, widening, and clearing of mud and stagnant water from the failed portions of the road and adjoining intersections.
He also monitored the filling of affected sections with gravel and granite, as well as the construction of a side drainage channel to improve water flow and address erosion.
Idahosa said the palliative intervention followed discussions with the leadership of Ovia Federal Constituency on the need to provide immediate relief to road users while awaiting the comprehensive reconstruction.
“A few weeks ago, I met with the leadership of Ovia Federal Constituency. I made them understand that we were going to do palliative work pending when the rain subsides.
“A construction company can then go ahead and do comprehensive work,” he said.
The Project Engineer of MCC, Engr. Atoyebi Tosinwa, said the road had suffered perennial water-percolation problems over the years.
He explained that the contractors were deploying geotextile technology as part of the road-surfacing solution to tackle the underlying challenges and improve the durability of the rehabilitation.
A petty roadside trader at Okhun Road Junction, Mrs Blessing Tosin, commended the state government for the intervention, saying it had improved movement along the axis.
Similarly, a transporter, Michael Bankole, said the condition of the road had improved considerably since the commencement of the rehabilitation, describing it as more motorable.
