Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to ensure the early delivery of the major reconstruction project on Sapele Road in Benin City. The governor gave this assurance during a hands-on inspection tour of the site at the weekend.
Governor Okpebholo examined the extensive work aimed at tackling the area’s perennial flooding problems. This included 1.5 kilometres of completed surface drains, a one-kilometre underground channel, and a 1.6-kilometre underground canal. The project, which features a reinforced concrete pavement structure, also has over five kilometres of rigid pavement and 5.5 kilometres of stone base already finished.
The statement detailing the inspection was issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, on Sunday, 28 September 2025.
Demonstrating a commitment to hands-on supervision, the governor was reported to have trekked over two kilometres along the project corridor. He stopped at intervals to personally verify the thickness of the concrete pavement and inspect reinforcement rods, ensuring all work met contractual standards. The inspection route began at Mousco Junction and covered major intersections including PZ, Agip, and Ekae Junction, before terminating at Ogheghe and Old Ogheghe Roads.
During the tour, Governor Okpebholo expressed confidence that the ongoing Ogheghe Road project, which branches off Sapele Road, would be completed by December 2025, in line with the contractor’s commitment. He was warmly received by motorists, traders, and residents, who hailed the project as a major intervention.
“With what I have seen today, we are on track,” the Governor affirmed. “The contractors have promised to deliver by December, and we will support them with timely payments to ensure they meet the deadline.”
The Governor’s position was echoed by his Special Adviser on Project Implementation and Monitoring, Engr. Mrs. Phoebe U. Williams-Bello. She stressed that the supervision exercise was designed to enforce compliance, confirming that the contractors were working to schedule.
Project Engineer, Engr. Ademola, provided further technical details, noting that surface drains at Ogheghe have been completed and 1.2 kilometres of the 1.6-kilometre underground canal at Old Sapele Road were now in place. He confirmed that the second phase of works would commence shortly.
“We remain optimistic that the December target is achievable,” Ademola assured. “The reinforced concrete design guarantees durability, and once completed, the Ogheghe corridor will stand as a lasting solution to flooding and traffic challenges.”
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