From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, embarked on a joint inspection of federal roads in Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial districts.
The visit was aimed at assessing firsthand, the deplorable state of critical road infrastructure and exploring urgent interventions to ease the burden on commuters.
The inspection tour took the delegation to Ujuelen, the Ekpoma stretch of the Benin–Auchi–Lokoja Expressway, and Egbele in Uromi, where both leaders expressed deep displeasure at the condition of the roads.
Umahi while commending Governor Okpebholo for his ongoing interventions urged the state government to intensify its support in alleviating the plight of road users.
The minister formally handed over the completion of one full carriageway from Ewu to Agbor to the Edo State Government. He explained that while the Federal Ministry of Works will handle the design, the state government would manage execution locally.
The minister, who joined Governor Okpebholo to personally drive through the Benin–Ekpoma axis, praised the Okpebholo’s efforts in complementing federal interventions.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to rewriting the history of road construction in Nigeria by ensuring durability and sustainability.
“From Benin to Ekpoma alone is 53km, and CCECC has begun work on the first stretch, already covering 2km without a single payment made. This is commendable. However, CCECC must sit up.
“By Monday, if I do not see efficiency on at least two sections, their contracts will be terminated. President Tinubu is determined to build roads that will last 50 to 100 years, not the short-lived projects of the past,” Umahi declared.
He further applauded BUA International for its handling of the Ekpoma section of the expressway, describing the quality as excellent and urging the company to accelerate completion of its first 10km before October, warning that failure could result in termination of contracts nationwide.
Umahi also sent a stern warning to federal directors and controllers, insisting they must leave their offices and monitor projects on-site.
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