By: PATRICK OCHOGA
The roar of bulldozers and the rumble of heavy-duty equipment are returning to some battered roads in Benin City as the Edo State Government begins remedial works on dilapidated streets across the Government Reservation Areas, GRA, and other parts of the metropolis.
The intervention, which has brought earth-moving equipment and asphalt-laying machinery to several locations, has raised hopes among residents and motorists who have endured the difficulties of navigating damaged roads in the state capital.
The exercise follows Governor Monday Okpebholo’s promise to address the deplorable condition of inner-city roads, with the state government moving to tackle sections requiring urgent attention.
The governor, acknowledging the scale of the challenge, had said comprehensive assessments were necessary to identify roads needing immediate intervention, alongside improvements to drainage infrastructure.
Last week, personnel of the state’s road rehabilitation agency moved into some affected areas to commence remedial works.
A visit by LEADERSHIP Sunday to some of the sites, including Ihama Road, Golf Road, Boundary Road, Aiguobasinmwin and Ikponkpan Road, showed heavy-duty equipment and asphalt-laying machinery deployed for the exercise.
For motorists who have had to contend with potholes, damaged road surfaces and the attendant risk of vehicle damage, the commencement of the works represents a welcome development.
A commercial driver who plies Ihama Road, Mr Richard Ojo Idemudia, commended the governor for initiating the repairs as the dry season sets in.
Idemudia, who described the intervention as a relief to motorists, said the condition of some sections of the road had made daily driving increasingly difficult.
“I am happy that work has commenced on sections of the road that were almost impassable and were causing damage to our vehicles. It shows that the governor is listening to the people, and we are excited about the development,” he said.
He, however, urged the state government’s road maintenance agency to ensure that the repairs met acceptable standards and were durable enough to withstand regular traffic.
According to him, while the ongoing intervention is commendable, proper execution is necessary to prevent the affected sections from deteriorating again before more comprehensive reconstruction can be undertaken.
“We also appeal to the road maintenance agency to deliver quality work that will last. We appreciate what we are seeing, but the repairs should be durable enough to provide lasting relief before the government embarks on major reconstruction,” he added.
Similarly, a resident of Upper Adesuwa, Mr Omoregie Igiebor, applauded the state government for responding to public concerns over the condition of roads in the metropolis.
Igiebor called on the government to sustain the momentum and extend the intervention to other roads requiring urgent attention, warning against leaving some communities out of the exercise.
He also emphasised the need for regular monitoring of the projects to ensure that contractors and personnel responsible for the works deliver quality jobs.
For residents and road users, the immediate expectation is that the ongoing remedial works will ease movement, reduce vehicle damage and provide relief from the poor road conditions that have affected parts of Benin City.
They urged the state government to ensure that the intervention goes beyond temporary repairs by maintaining strict quality control and following up with more comprehensive rehabilitation where necessary.
