Gov. Okpebholo, Works Minister Umahi Tour Failed Federal Roads In Edo

BENIN – Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Ok­pebholo, and the Min­ister of Works, Engr. David Umahi have embarked on a joint inspection of federal roads across Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial Districts.

The inspection tour which may have been occasioned by the cover page story of Satur­day Independent Newspaper of September 20, 2025 with a banner headline, ‘South-South Highways: Nigerians Urge FG To Declare State Of Emergen­cy Now,’ took the delegation to most of the failed portions of the Federal roads in Edo state.

In that report, Saturday Independent noted: “The once-thriving oil-rich region is now suffocating under the weight of infrastructural decay, its potential choked by decades of neglect and corruption.

“This isn’t just about bad roads; it’s about a systemic fail­ure that demands brutal, hon­est introspection. Where did Nigeria, as a nation, falter so profoundly that even the very ground beneath the feet of its citizens has become a source of suffering?” the paper declared.

The Minister, who joined Governor Okpebholo to per­sonally drive through the Be­nin–Ekpoma axis, praised Gov. Okpebholo’s efforts in comple­menting federal interventions.

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

While commending Gover­nor Okpebholo for his ongoing interventions, the Works Min­ister urged the State Govern­ment to intensify its support in alleviating the plight of road users.

He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to rewriting the history of road construction in Nigeria by en­suring durability and sustain­ability.

Umahi also sent a stern warning to federal directors and controllers, insisting they must leave their offices and monitor projects on-site.

“If I visit any state and en­counter gridlock like I did here today, I will immediately rede­ploy the state director and con­troller to Abuja. The President is working for the people, and his officers must do the same,” he stressed.

In a significant develop­ment, Umahi formally hand­ed over the completion of one full carriageway from Ewu to Agbor to the Edo State Govern­ment. He explained that while the Federal Ministry of Works will handle the design, execu­tion will be managed locally by the State Government.

Governor Okpebholo and Engr. Umahi also visited some parts of the ongoing recon­struction of Benin-Asaba Ex­pressway, recently handed over to a Concession Company.