The Federal Government has assured that the remaining portion of the 28.2-kilometre Reconstruction of Benin – Sapele – Warri Road, Section I will be competed before the commencement of the raining season.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi gave the assurance during a visit by the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo to his office in Abuja.
The visit was a follow-up to the Minister of Work’s inspection tour of ongoing projects in Edo State,
According to the Minister, due to the priority placed on the road by the President, the road will be in good shape before the full commencement of the rainy season.
He explained that the issue of funding has been a major obstacle to the progress of work, adding that the Ministry has devised two options, which are to get the contractor to, within the limit of the available funds, concentrate on the very bad parts of the alignment.
He stated that the second approach is to approach the Governor of Edo State, to take over the funding of the road.
Umahi sympathised with the Governor for starting to build the State afresh from where former Governor Adams Oshiomole stopped and had to prioritise everything in the state.
In his response, the Governor said that he has come to thank the Minister and to let him know that his work to revitalise and standardization of Nigeria’s road infrastructure to global standards, is appreciated.
Governor Okpebholo described the Lokoja – Benin Dualization as a critical project, stressing that it is a gateway to the north, the south, and other parts of Nigeria.
The Okene – Auchi section of the project in Kogi and Edo States was recently flagged off by the Governor, as the Representative of Mr. President with the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, H.E. Sen. Adams Oshiomole, the Minister of Works, traditional leaders and many others, in attendance
