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From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Edo State Commissioner of Works Felix Akhabue has expressed hope that the over 20 ongoing road construction projects in Edo Central will ease the pains of peasant farmers, tackle food insecurity and boost the economy of the people in those areas and beyond.
Akhabue spoke while on a two‑day inspection of the ongoing projects in the senatorial district.
Engr Akhabue, who expressed satisfaction with the pace and level of the work being executed by the various contractors, said the people of the areas, who are mainly farmers, can now have a good road network to transport their farm produce to the market and cut down wastage.
“You know that the people of these areas are predominantly farmers. And if you see what is happening here, pineapples and so many cash crops are produced along these axes. So, they are going to be connected back again to the economic activity of the state,” Akhabue said.
Akhabue, while responding to a question on the state government taking over some of the federal road projects hitherto abandoned by the federal government, said what matters most to the governor is how to alleviate the plight of his people, irrespective of who uses the roads.
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“And with the issue of the federal government, you know, Edo, the governor believes that the roads in Edo are being used by the Edo people and people visiting the state.
“So, you cannot abandon a federal road because it’s a federal road. The governor is ready to take on all the challenges that are involved. And the federal government is also cooperating with us because we engage them,” he said.
He commended the people of the areas for cooperating with the various contractors, stressing that this has brought about the accelerated pace of work, noting that those whose property was affected during the construction works have been duly compensated.
An elder from the Emuhi community in Esan West, Mr Chris Omonkhomion, praised the state governor for the ongoing projects, saying that God has arrived among them in human form.
He shared that they had expected significant development for 30 years, but it only happened after Governor Monday Okpebholo’s arrival. He also mentioned that they were once asked to contribute N1 million for road construction, but now, the governor has come to bring relief to their community.
