Obaseki: Why Edo Govt Can’t Fix Federal Roads in Edo
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the weekend, disclosed why the state government cannot fix the Benin-Auchi, Benin-Sapele and other federal roads in the state, saying the government at the centre has already awarded contracts for the repair of the roads.
Obaseki, who disclosed this to journalists after the monthly Security Council meeting held at the Government House in Benin-city, the state capital, said much as Edo State is a transportation hub, it is concerned that the major federal road networks in the state, which connect several parts of the country, are in bad condition.
He noted that his administration has done everything in its power to appeal to the federal government to look into the repairs of the wide span of damaged federal roads in Edo State.
Obaseki added that his administration has drawn the attention of the federal government to the failed portions of the Benin-Auchi roads, Benin-Sapele road and the Benin-Lagos road, particularly the Ovia River Bridge, but nothing has been done yet.
According to him, “Look at the incident that happened on Ovia River Bridge three weeks ago, in which we lost several lives following multiple accidents. Nothing has been done till now. This shows they don’t care about us in the state.
“The issue on the Benin-Lagos road, particularly the Ovia River crossing, is becoming catastrophic. We have lost a lot of lives, and have done everything to get the federal government and the Federal Ministry of Works to work with us and put in place a palliative measure to stop the carnage on that road.”
On Sapele Road, he said: “I was on Sapele Road recently. After a heavy downpour, the road was impassable. What is going on in Benin-Sapele Road is scandalous. I don’t think that any region where the oil resources that sustain the country come from should be neglected this way. We have done everything possible. We don’t know what to do again to draw the attention of the federal government to these roads.”
He continued: “The Auchi-Ibillo road was so bad that some of our contractors couldn’t go to their quarry site. We appealed to the federal government to do palliative work on that road but they refused, saying the road is under contract. If I want to do the same to Benin-Sapele Road, I am not allowed to do so. They claim the road has been given out to a contractor.
“Last year, the Benin-Auchi road was locked for about two weeks as food, animals, and petroleum products could not reach their destination. We don’t want such situations this year so they should help us. We are not here to criticise them but to appeal for help.”
The governor noted that the federal government’s policy relating to these roads is very confusing, noting that in the past, states could rehabilitate federal roads and give the federal government the bills, but that is no longer obtainable.
“At a point, they said we can apply and take over the repair of federal roads but I am yet to see a state they have given federal roads to fix,” he noted.
Thisdaylive.com
