By Ireti Asemota.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has pledged that his government will persist in repairing and rebuilding deteriorated federal roads across the state to alleviate the hardships faced by residents.
He made this announcement on Sunday during an inspection of the Ogheghe–Ologbo segment of the Benin–Sapele Road, a notoriously impassable stretch beyond the bypass that has sparked outrage among drivers and locals.
V3EDGE previously reported that a fuel tanker overturned and burst into flames on Saturday at Ogheghe junction on Sapele Road due to the road’s crumbling sections.
A viral video from Saturday night captured a bystander explaining that the tanker toppled and ignited at the junction near the bypass, with residents keeping a safe distance from the blaze.
In a Monday statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo revealed plans to seek federal reimbursement after the state funds major fixes on these roads.
He vowed not to stand idly by amid the ongoing fatalities on key federal highways, which the prior administration neglected to maintain.
The governor voiced frustration over the road’s dire state.
“This administration will keep rehabilitating and restoring damaged federal highways in Edo to reduce the people’s burdens.
“Look at this spot—it’s in horrific condition, as if no government has ever existed here. The PDP regime bears the blame for this neglect. On Saturday, a tanker crashed and burned right here.
“Many locals lost property in the fire. That’s why I’m here today to assess the damage firsthand. The road is in appalling shape.
“Our approach is to repair it ourselves first, then bill the Federal Government later. This ensures safety for our citizens. The contractor is on site even today, a Sunday,” Okpebholo stated.
His Special Adviser on Project Implementation and Monitoring, Williams Bello, noted that the Federal Ministry of Works recently transferred the 10.15-kilometer section to the Edo State Government during the Works Minister’s visit.
“You see how proactive our governor is. The contractor, already managing 23.2 kilometers, is now expanding efforts to this newly assigned area. They’re excavating central drains midway.
“The soil here is poor and waterlogged, so we’re building a 7.5-meter-wide drainage channel to divert stormwater to the bypass outlet.
“With the dry season underway, the team can elevate the roadbed and lay the stone base,” Bello explained.
The General Manager of CBC Global Construction Company, Liao, reported substantial advances on the 23.2-kilometer project.
“So far, we’ve laid nearly 8 kilometers of stone base and 5 kilometers of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP). Beyond this bypass, about 7 kilometers remain on the right side.
“Rain was our biggest obstacle earlier, but now we’re digging inter-drains to manage water flow. Once complete, progress will accelerate. I’m confident we’ll finish before the next rains,” Liao assured.
Since taking office, Governor Okpebholo has launched extensive road upgrades statewide.
Beyond the Benin–Sapele Road efforts, the state is addressing federal roads in Edo Central, with Akoko Edo in Edo North also under repair.
The state’s first bridge is approaching completion, and work has started on another at Adesua Junction on Benin–Sapele Road.
These initiatives underscore Okpebholo’s dedication to enhancing infrastructure and facilitating smoother travel throughout Edo.
