Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo and Minister of Works David Umahi, on Friday, inspected federal roads in deplorable condition in the Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial districts.

A statement by Fred Itua, the chief press secretary to Mr Okpebholo, said the assessment was to explore urgent interventions to ease the burden on commuters.

The inspection tour took the delegation to Ujuelen on the Benin-Auchi-Lokoja Expressway and Egbele in Uromi, where both leaders expressed deep displeasure at the conditions of the roads.

Mr Umahi commended Mr Okpebholo for his ongoing interventions on some of the federal roads and urged him to intensify efforts to alleviate the plight of road users.

The minister noted that President Bola Tinubu was committed to rewriting the history of road construction in Nigeria by ensuring the durability and sustainability of roads.

“From Benin to Ekpoma alone is 53 km, and CBC (construction firm) has begun work on the first stretch, already covering 2 km without a single payment made. This is commendable.

”However, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) must improve. By Monday, if I do not see efficiency in at least two sections, their contract will be terminated.

“President Tinubu is determined to build roads that will last 50 to 100 years, not the short-lived projects of the past,” Mr Umahi said.

They also visited some parts of the ongoing reconstruction of the Benin-Asaba Expressway.

During the visit, Mr Umahi expressed dismay and instructed the contractors to provide palliative measures to reduce the daily stress road users endure.

Mr Umahi also accompanied Mr Okpebholo to Ramat Park, where the first-ever flyover bridge in Edo was being constructed.

Mr Okpebholo expressed gratitude to Mr Tinubu for prioritising Edo roads, noting that the administration’s renewed focus had inspired confidence among the people.

The director of federal highways (construction and rehabilitation), Clement Ogbuagu, commended BUA International for the quality of work delivered on the 30 km Ekpoma section.

The project manager, Mohammad Rabiu, assured that the new concrete design being used would ensure its longevity.

(NAN)