By Emameh Gabriel
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has revealed that his administration is finalising arrangements to rehabilitate roads and drainage systems in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Benin City, as part of a broader push to end the area’s recurring flooding problem and develop a new GRA.
The governor made this known on Thursday while playing host to the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa, and other judges of the state judiciary, who visited the Government House in Benin City to invite him to the events marking the start of the 2026/2027 legal year.
According to Okpebholo, the current GRA was poorly conceived from the outset, which is why his government is now working towards creating a replacement.
“My administration is working to have a new GRA as I believe the old GRA was not properly planned right from inception,” he said.
The governor disclosed that his government had already invited proposals for the project, with three firms putting the cost estimate at roughly N250 billion. He, however, admitted that achieving the plan would come at a cost to some property owners.
“I called for proposals and three companies gave me an estimate of about N250 billion. Some houses have to give way. But at the moment we are going to focus on doing some palliative work to control flooding and ease movement in the area,” he stated.
As a first step, Okpebholo said palliative works would begin on the GRA roads once the rains subside.
“After the rainy season, we have to do some palliative work on most of the roads in the GRA. The EdoGIS is already working on areas requiring improvements of infrastructure like water and electricity,” he said.
Turning to the judiciary, the governor praised the cooperation between his administration and the courts, especially in the operation of special courts and efforts to ensure quicker delivery of justice.
“I want to thank the judiciary for the cooperation my administration is enjoying in the state, most especially in the area of the Special Court and speedy dispensation of justice,” Okpebholo said.
He also gave a pat on the back to judges in the state, saying he had received no complaints about their conduct.
“I also thank all the judges in the state because I have not heard any negative reports about their activities, showing that they are diligent in the discharge of their responsibility as judges in the state,” he said.
On their welfare, the governor announced that the State Executive Council had approved the purchase of new vehicles to replace the ageing ones currently used by judges.
“We have gotten approval from the State Executive Council on purchasing vehicles to replace the old ones our judges are using. We are looking at about 33 vehicles which you will get soon,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Judge, Justice Okungbowa, lauded the governor’s developmental efforts and the working relationship between the executive and the judiciary, which he said had helped sustain peace and progress in Edo.
He explained that the visit was to formally invite the governor to the 2026/2027 legal year events slated for Thursday, October 9.
“We are here on a courtesy visit to invite you to the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year as our visitation is to inform you of our programme of activities,” Okungbowa said.
“Thank you for the good work you are doing in Edo State and the collaboration with other arms of government which has made the state peaceful. Thank you for your developmental stride across all sectors of the state,” he added.
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