Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured residents that his administration will continue to release funds to contractors to accelerate ongoing road projects across the state ahead of the Yuletide.
Okpebholo gave the assurance on Monday while inspecting ongoing construction works along the Arue-Uromi-Agbor road projects in Esan North East Local Government Area.
The governor said the projects were progressing despite challenges associated with the rainy season, which had slowed some construction activities.
“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.
According to him, the rainy season had limited the construction activities that could be undertaken at the moment, making drainage works a major focus across the project sites.
“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,” Okpebholo said.
The governor said the state government would continue to fund the projects as resources became available, stressing that his administration remained committed to ensuring steady progress on the roads.
“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,” he said.
Okpebholo expressed optimism that the projects would significantly improve road infrastructure and ease transportation for residents and motorists, particularly during the Christmas period.
Speaking on the project, the Area Manager of Setraco Nigeria Ltd., Michel Aoy, said 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 identified the acquisition of the right of way for the 18.6-metre road, as well as a drainage corridor of about 20 metres, as major challenges encountered during the project.
He, however, said significant progress had been made, particularly on the drainage component.
“Now we can see the drain executed, which is the hardest step of the project and which will normally take time with contractors,” Aoy said.
