Motorists and residents of Benin City, the Edo State capital, have commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for the ongoing rehabilitation of inner-city roads, which were previously riddled with potholes and had become increasingly difficult to navigate, particularly during the rainy season.
Newsleader monitored the ongoing road rehabilitation across parts of the metropolis observed significant improvements in road conditions in areas including Boundary Road, Ihama, Ikponkpan, Amagba, Giwamu, Golf Road, Commercial Avenue, Ring Road, Adesuwa and other parts of the Government Reservation Area (GRA).
The intervention, residents said, has improved access to residential neighbourhoods, eased vehicular movement and provided relief to motorists who had endured months of navigating deteriorating roads, with attendant risks of vehicle damage and traffic congestion.
The ongoing rehabilitation programme is also in line with the governor’s earlier commitment to accelerate road construction and rehabilitation across the state as the dry season sets in, following the challenges posed by heavy rainfall.
For many residents, the development represents more than the disappearance of potholes; it is an intervention with direct implications for mobility, property accessibility, commercial activities and the general quality of urban life.
A 72-year-old property owner along Giwamu Road, Mrs Itohan Osagie, expressed delight at the improvement, saying the rehabilitation work had made it easier for her to access her property.
Osagie, who commended the governor for responding to the road infrastructure challenges in the area, urged the state government to sustain the momentum.
“If the governor sustains the pace of work currently being carried out, by next year, people will no longer complain about the absence of good roads in Benin. We are happy with what is happening,” she said.
She added that improved roads would not only make movement easier but also enhance the value and attractiveness of residential properties across the city.
Similarly, the ongoing intervention has renewed optimism among residents and motorists who had previously experienced difficulties accessing some neighbourhoods during the peak of the rainy season.
The rehabilitation drive, if sustained and complemented with effective drainage systems and regular maintenance, is expected to strengthen urban connectivity, reduce travel difficulties and support economic activities within the state capital.
Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo has embraced the new sobriquet, “Okpes Baby”, which has gained currency among residents who encounter him during his street-level inspections of ongoing projects across Benin City.
The governor, who described the new name as an expression of public appreciation for his administration’s infrastructure interventions, said he was pleased with the reception he had continued to receive from residents.
Speaking on the development, Okpebholo said the changing perception of his administration was reflected in the affectionate names residents now give him during his visits to project sites.
“We have long started the plan of a new GRA. As we speak, mapping is ongoing by EdoGIS. If we look at all these achievements, they have even changed my name from ‘Akpako Rescue’ to ‘Okpes Baby’. I accept every name given to me,” the governor said.
He added: “I walk freely on the streets. Instead of throwing pure water at me, they are giving me sweet names.”
The governor’s remarks underscore his administration’s emphasis on visible infrastructure delivery and direct engagement with residents as part of efforts to reshape the urban landscape of Benin City and other communities across Edo State.
With road rehabilitation gathering momentum across several neighbourhoods, residents will be looking beyond the immediate disappearance of potholes to the completion of outstanding projects, improved drainage, durable construction standards and a maintenance culture capable of preserving the gains.
