Edo Governor Summons Contractors Over Slow Pace of Benin-Sapele Road Project

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the slow progress of work on the vital Benin-Sapele highway, despite the contractors having received financial mobilisation.

The Governor has now summoned the firms handling the state-funded section of the project to explain the reasons for the delay or face serious sanctions.

The Governor’s decision followed a recent inspection tour of the over 20-kilometre road, where he personally drove through the stretch, stopping at several points to assess the quality of drains, pavement, and construction materials.

During the tour, which took him through the gridlock that has long plagued the route, motorists cheered the Governor, appreciating the collaborative efforts of the Edo State and Federal Governments in addressing the neglected road.

After the inspection, Governor Okpebholo acknowledged that the quality of work was satisfactory but emphasised that the speed was unacceptable.

“I have inspected what they are doing and the work is solid and good. But the problem is the level of speed which is not good for me,” he stated. “People are suffering due to the slow pace of work and we have to do something drastic to ensure that the road is motorable, by reducing the plight of the people who are using the road.”

The Governor also raised concerns about the drainage design, pledging to review it to ensure it effectively tackles flooding.

“Drainage is important and the design stopped the construction of the drainage system at the middle of the town. The question is, where will the water go to? We will look at the design again to ensure that the one we will finally construct for this road takes water out of town and desilt it at the proper place,” he explained.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the well-being of Edo people, noting that the timely completion of the road is crucial to ending residents’ suffering and reviving economic activities in the area.

“Our people are suffering and crying, and we are out here this evening to check the level of work done and ensure speedy completion,” the Governor added.