By Shedrack Onitsha,
The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparent governance and infrastructure development as journalists were taken on an extensive tour of ongoing road, flyover and erosion-control projects across Edo South Senatorial District, showcasing what officials described as the tangible impact of Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration.
The media tour, organised by the Edo State Ministry of Works, exposed journalists to several major projects under construction, including flyover bridges, road rehabilitation works and erosion-control interventions designed to improve connectivity, boost economic activities and address longstanding environmental challenges.
Speaking before the commencement of the tour, the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Works, Engr. Dr. John Obanor stressed the importance of firsthand reporting in communicating government achievements to the public.
According to him, government communication must move beyond official statements and press releases.
"For citizens to truly appreciate the scale and quality of work being done on their behalf, they need reporters who have been there, who have walked the sites, observed the work firsthand and can report with the confidence of eyewitnesses," he said.
He noted that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo is currently executing an ambitious infrastructure programme involving road construction, rehabilitation and erosion-control projects across the state.
"The ministry is conscious of the level of work ongoing in about 60 project sites across the state, including two major flyover bridges. Despite the rains, work has progressed steadily, and contractors are maintaining pace," Obanor stated.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that four road projects awarded by the current administration had already been completed, while three inherited projects from previous administrations had also been delivered.
He assured residents that the government remained determined to complete all ongoing projects within the stipulated timelines.
At the Ramat Park Flyover project, the first of its kind in Edo State, Obanor expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work. He also inspected the adjoining erosion-control and gully reclamation project along Obaseki Street, noting that the drainage infrastructure was already addressing a major environmental threat in the area.
At the Adesuwa-Sapele Road Flyover site, construction activities were equally intense, with engineers carrying out piling operations that would provide the structural foundation for the bridge.
The media team also visited sections of the Benin-Sapele-Warri Road undergoing reconstruction by CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited, where asphalt laying operations were in full swing.
Another major project inspected was the reconstruction of Benin-Sapele-Warri Road Section One, Phase Two, being executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). Massive drainage and stormwater management structures were observed as contractors worked to mitigate flooding and erosion along the corridor.
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Edo State Ministry of Works officials and media executives inspect ongoing road, flyover and erosion-control projects during a tour of key infrastructure sites across Edo South Senatorial District.[/caption]
At Palace Road, Upper Mission Extension, site engineers reported that work had reached an advanced stage and was nearing completion.
Speaking during the inspection, project engineers across the various sites assured the government and residents that ongoing works would be delivered on schedule despite weather-related challenges.
"We have completed most of the critical and time-consuming construction activities. We remain committed to meeting project deadlines," one contractor stated.
The tour also covered several other strategic infrastructure projects, including Uhie Road off Benin-Sapele Road, internal roads in Ogheghe and Old Sapele Road, Evbhukhu-Sapele Road and Mechanic Road.
Residents of communities benefiting from the projects expressed excitement over the developments, describing them as transformational interventions that would improve mobility, reduce travel time and stimulate economic activities.
Many of them commended Governor Okpebholo for addressing infrastructure deficits that had persisted for years.
The inspection tour underscored the administration's resolve to ensure that public investments translate into visible improvements in the lives of Edo people while providing journalists an opportunity to independently verify the progress of projects across the state.
For the Edo State Government, the message was clear: infrastructure development is not merely a policy promise but a reality taking shape across communities, one project at a time.
