By Eshioromeh Sebastian
The Edo State Government has pointed fingers at the immediate past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki for the widespread deterioration of roads across the state, accusing it of executing substandard construction work.
The state government also appealed to residents for patience, explaining that construction engineers cannot effectively repair roads during the rainy season.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, made the government’s position known on Wednesday during the ministry’s monthly media briefing held in Benin City.
He was joined at the briefing by the Commissioner for Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Chris Okaeben; the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency, Kenny Okojie; and the Special Adviser on Health Matters, Dr Andrew Iyamu.
Afegbua assured residents that the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration would carry out massive road repairs once the dry season sets in.
He noted that attempting road repairs during the current rainy season would amount to a waste of construction materials and public funds.
The commissioner accused the previous administration of poor road construction, which he said was responsible for the current state of road infrastructure across Edo State.
He said the Okpebholo-led government was deliberate and determined to reverse the situation.
“Edo State Government, under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo, is very much alive to its responsibility, ensuring it contends with developmental challenges confronting the state, both emerging and inherited,” Afegbua said.
“Of critical reference is the issue of roads. If we had an opportunity like the previous government to build credible, quality and durable roads, we will not be complaining or lamenting now.
“A lot of these roads within the Benin metropolis were actually rehabilitated and repaired during the immediate past government.”
Afegbua dismissed criticism from supporters of former Governor Obaseki, insisting that the current decay suggested the past administration did a poor job.
“The level of road decay experienced now is that the roads then were quantity, not quality jobs.
“We did an assessment of the GRA, Iyekogba Estate, Irihrih and Okoroma roads, and the roads were purported to have been done by the Obaseki-led administration.
“If you go there now, the roads are full of potholes and are decaying. One begins to wonder what the celebration was about. Roads were supposed to last a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years.
“I am making records of these roads because we are being criticised on social media, and they wonder what we are doing.
“No construction engineer will attempt to fix potholes or bad roads during the rainy season. We are experiencing heavy rain now,” he concluded.
The government urged Edo residents to remain patient with Governor Okpebholo, saying he was determined to make the state’s roads motorable for users
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