Following a wave of protests over dilapidated roads and rising insecurity, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has commenced emergency palliative works on failing sections of federal roads in Edo North Senatorial District.
The move comes days after youths under the Auchi Youth Council blocked the Benin-Auchi-Okene highway at Jattu Junction on July 28, demanding immediate government action to tackle erosion, poor road infrastructure, and frequent kidnappings in the area.
According to a statement from the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the rehabilitation will cover approximately 9.61 kilometers across the Auchi-Igarra-Aiyetoro-Unemu-Nekhua-Aiyegunle-Ikpeshi-Ibillo-Ekor-Ikan-Oke corridor, all within Edo North.
Speaking at the project flag-off, Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed the state’s partnership with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, promising that no part of the state would be left out in accessing good roads, security, and public services.
“President Tinubu has mandated me to ensure that all failed portions of roads, whether state or federal, are urgently fixed. We will not wait for bureaucracy when the lives of our people are at stake,” Okpebholo said.
He also addressed the worsening security crisis, particularly kidnapping, vowing to personally lead efforts to flush out criminals from local forests.
“If I have to relocate to Edo North to rid our communities of kidnappers, I will do just that. We won’t leave this to security agencies alone,” the governor asserted.
On the erosion menace ravaging Auchi and surrounding towns, Okpebholo promised intervention but said proper procedures must be followed to ensure sustainable results.
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, pledged legislative support to drive more infrastructure across the state.
During the day, the governor also inspected major projects in Benin City, including the ongoing Benin-Asaba dual carriageway, a 10-lane expressway with 20km slated for completion by December, as well as Amufi Road reconstruction and the Ramat Park flyover.
Okpebholo described the projects as a clear manifestation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, now taking root in Edo.
“These projects, when completed, will ease traffic, strengthen connectivity, and open up economic opportunities across the state,” he said.
