Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has assured contractors handling road projects across the state of sustained government funding and support to ensure significant progress on ongoing projects before Christmas.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Okpbebholo gave the assurance while inspecting ongoing construction works on the Arue-Uromi-Agbor road projects in Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state.
Okpebholo, who said the projects were progressing despite challenges posed by the rainy season, disclosed that his administration had continued to inspect project sites across the state to assess progress and address challenges affecting construction.
“We are here to look at what they are doing. We have gone around several project sites since morning to see how far they are going, and the work is progressing,” he said.
The Governor noted that the rainy season had limited the nature of construction activities that could be undertaken at the moment, making drainage works a major focus of contractors.
“By the grace of God, we are looking at what we can achieve between now and Christmas. Because of the rainy season, nothing much can actually be done.
“The only thing they can do now is the drainage, which they are working on, and we are seeing the progress they are making across the various sites,” he added.
Okpebholo assured that the state government would continue to release funds to contractors as resources became available, stressing that his administration remained committed to ensuring steady progress on road projects across Edo.
“Our aim is to make sure that we do our best to fund them. As the money comes to us, we also use the money to fund them. So, we will continue to strive to ensure that progress is made on these roads,” the Governor stated.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing contractors with the resources required to sustain construction activities, expressing optimism that the projects would significantly improve road infrastructure and ease movement for residents and motorists, particularly during the Christmas period.
Speaking on the project, the Area Manager of Setraco Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Michel Aoy, disclosed that the Irrua-Uromi bypass road would be nine metres wide on each side, with a concrete barrier at the centre and street lighting along the route.
Aoy explained that securing the right of way for the 18.6-metre-wide road, alongside a drainage corridor of about 20 metres, had posed a major challenge to the project.
He, however, noted that substantial progress had now been made on the drainage component of the project.
“Now we can see the drain executed, which is the hardest step of the project and which will normally take time with contractors,” he said.
The Governor’s inspection forms part of his administration’s ongoing efforts to monitor road projects across Edo State and ensure that contractors deliver quality infrastructure within stipulated timelines.
