……assured residents project would be completed to the highest standards,
By, Michael Egbejule
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo stated that the death of a child due to flooding motivated his administration to construct the 4.1-kilometer Ogheghe and old Sapele roads in Benin City, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Ebojele.
During an inspection of the project, the governor recalled that the road project was initiated after residents raised concerns about erosion and safety, stating that the project was started after a child died on the road due to flooding and erosion.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Patrick Ebojele, disclosed this on Sunday in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin- City.
According to Ebojele, Governor Okpebholo shared these details during an impromptu inspection of the road construction site after a church service.
“The impetus for this road construction stems from the heartbreaking news we received about a child’s death on this very road, a consequence of the severe flooding and erosion plaguing this community,” the governor stated.
“Tragically, the child was swept away by the force of erosion originating from this location, which prompted our initial visit and subsequent action.”
Governor Okpebholo urged the contractors involved to ensure the project was completed to the highest standards.
Ebojele said Okpebholo urged the contractors to fully utilize the dry season to advance work on the 4.1-kilometre Ogheghe old Sapele road project .
“The reason we are doing this road is because we heard that a child died on this street arising from flooding and erosion menace affecting the community.
“The child was washed away by erosion from this site, and that was the essence of our visit then”, he said.
“I have not been around here for some time. So, coming today to look at this work and see what is going on is very important.
“Now that I’m here, I’ve seen the extent of what they are doing, and they are doing well. But I still need them to buckle up and be faster with the pace of work I’m seeing now. We just have about five months of the dry season.
“We are experiencing the dry season now. Apart from this time, there is no more time. We need to take advantage of the season now. So the speed has to be doubled”, he added.
While expressing satisfaction with the quality of work being done, the governor stressed that the pace must be increased to meet timelines.
The governor, however, explained that the photographs taken during the inspection were meant to ensure compliance with approved specifications.
“The reason I snapped those pictures in one of the sections of the road is to see if what is on the ground matches the specification I have in my record”, he stated.
