Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, continues to get applause for his achievements in massive roads construction, rehabilitation in Edo Central Senatorial District.
Residents of communities where the roads construction, rehabilitation is ongoing in the senatorial district came out in large numbers to receive the state Commissioner for Works, Hon. Felix Akhabue, officials of the ministry and media executives, who were on a two days projects inspection tour.
At the Ewatto – Udo Road, Engr. Muhammed AbdulLateef of Niger Construction Limited posited: “We’re moving at a very high speed to meet up with our job completion before the rainy season disrupts us and we don’t experience any challenge so that the road would be 100 percent motorable.
“We’re doing three major roads in this community. Ewatto – Udo Road, it’s a very important road that connects Ewatto to Udo. Number two is the Idumu – Iyasele Road. It was not motorable before but is now 100 percent motorable. Number three is the Ideselu – Ewatto Road which is connected to the Express Road.”
While at the 37km stretch of road from Uromi to Ewora Road axis, Engr. Mitchell Rezk, the Area Manager of Setraco Nigeria Limited, the firm handling the project, gave Hon. Akhabue a lowdown on the progress of work on the project which passes through about 15 communities. He disclosed that they’re working round the clock to achieve the much that they can in the dry season to avoid disruption during the rainy season.
In his response to questions from reporters, Hon. Akhabue said that what is obtainable in Benin (Edo South) is the same with what is ongoing in Edo Central.
According to him, “we’re connecting communities to reduce rural urban migration and to bring development to every man and every woman that lives in Edo State. What you’re seeing here is trying to open up communities and connect one community to the other.
“This project is about 37km. We’re doing exactly the same thing we’re doing in Edo South (Benin) here. I am satisfied with the work being done. I am not surprised. Setraco you know is a construction company that has a reputation in Nigeria.
“They have done a very good job. Looking at the road now you will think that they’re even through with it because of the neatness of the road and the drains. There’s another layer that’s still coming on top. They’re doing a very nice job.
“We’re quite impressed. But we have appealed to them we want them to increase the pace of the work that they’re doing. I am happy that any slight dry period they maximise it despite the fact that rain try to disrupt from time to time.
“And don’t forget that NiMet (Nigerian Meteorological Agency) has said that rain is going to come early this year and as such we have been able to talk to all our contractors to ensure that they maximise their pace of work. That’s exactly what they are doing.
“On our part, the Governor is not owing any contractor. We play our obligation ensuring that once they bring certificate we pay them. As such they don’t have any excuse to delay our job. Mr. Governor believes in completing his own project.
“He is not just showcasing projects. He is completing them. He believes half baked cake is good for nothing. The immediate past government abandoned a lot of projects which we inherited and trying to complete. He does not want to abandon any project and as such he ensures that every kobo in his hand he put into capital projects, most especially road networks around the state.
“So, every Edo man, woman have reason to be praying for Mr. Governor for being a man who is passionate about development, who is passionate about connectivity because connectivity of communities brings about economic activities in the state so that jobs could be created both directly and indirect job creations. That’s what Mr. Governor is doing.”
Elabor Christopher, a resident of Angle 90, has this to say: “Before now, this road was not good until our digital governor (Governor Monday Okpebholo) whom we will vote for for a second tenure from there he will become President constructed the road.”
According to Mathew Ataga, a resident of Iduworomi Ewatto: “When we see the road we’re happy and we will continue to give our mandate to him (Governor Okpebholo).
“We thank God for what the Governor has started and would finish. Before now the road was not motorable. We couldn’t even see our closest neighbours. Now we’re happy. When we see this work we know that the dividends of democracy is here. We thank God. We’re enjoying it and we will continue to enjoy it.”
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