The Edo State Government has thrown open its road infrastructure programme to public scrutiny as journalists embarked on a two-day inspection tour of major road construction projects across Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts, witnessing dozens of completed, ongoing and newly initiated projects aimed at transforming transportation and boosting economic activities across the state.
The media tour, organised by the Edo State Ministry of Works, covered strategic road projects in Etsako Central, Etsako West, Esan Central, Esan West, Esan North East and Igueben Local Government Areas, offering journalists firsthand assessment of the pace, quality and scope of work being executed under the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Leading the inspection, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Engr Dr. John Obanor, said the projects reflected Governor Okpebholo’s determination to tackle long-standing infrastructure deficits and improve connectivity across the state.
The Ministry of Works said the media tour was organised to provide journalists with firsthand information on the scope and progress of road infrastructure projects across Edo State, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparency and public accountability.
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He described the projects as “people-centred,” noting that the commitment displayed by contractors on various sites was a reflection of “the governor’s resolve to ensure every project is completed on schedule and to specification.”
Among the key projects inspected on the first day were the 7.66-kilometre access road to Edo Technical College, Ogbona, and adjoining township roads in Etsako Central being constructed by Prospective Multi-link Limited; the 7.67-kilometre Ikabigbo-Ekperi Road linking Etsako West and Etsako Central, handled by Fenix Engineering Construction Limited; and the ongoing gully reclamation and flood control works at Afashio, Idatto, Ikabigbo and Ayogwiri along the Auchi-Agenebode Road, being executed by Amirco Universal Concept Limited.
Engr. Obanor also said that Governor Okpebholo acted swiftly to prevent the erosion from worsening. “The governor moved quickly to mobilise men and equipment to reclaim the gully and properly channel flood water. His passion for the people is evident in the way projects are prioritised based on their impact on residents,” he said.
The inspection also covered the 9-kilometre Irrua-Akho-Illeh-Ukhun Road in Esan Central and the 9.2-kilometre Irrua-Illeh-Usenu-Ukhun Road linking Esan Central and Esan West.
On the second day, journalists toured eight additional projects, including the 21.98-kilometre Ukhun-Idoa-Ewu Road with nine spurs, the Ukpoke-Uhiele Road, and completed projects such as Prince Jimoh Momodu Road in Irrua and Iyoha Street, Isikhuemwen Street and adjoining spurs in Akho-Irrua.
Also inspected were three flagship highway projects being executed by Setraco Nigeria Limited: the 31.73-kilometre Ekpoma-Uromi-Ubiaja Road, the 33.53-kilometre Uromi-Onewa-Udomi corridor with its network of link roads, and the 55-kilometre Ewu-Uromi-Ekpon Road traversing Esan Central, Esan North East and Igueben Local Government Areas.
Contractors assured the government of timely completion, saying they were taking advantage of favourable weather conditions to accelerate construction, while residents applauded the intervention, describing many of the roads as having been impassable for years.
Residents of Afashio and neighbouring communities also praised the governor’s rapid intervention in the erosion crisis, saying the reclamation project had averted the risk of their communities being cut off from essential services.