Edo Communities Applaud Governor Okpebholo for Road Infrastructure Transformation

By Rosemary Okoduwa

Residents Hail Okpebholo Over Completion of Evbuotubu Road as Okhunmwun, Mechanic Roads Near Completion
Residents of Evbuotubu in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State have commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for the completion of the 6.5-kilometre Evbuotubu Road linking Ekhenwan Road to Siluko Road, describing the project as a major intervention that has restored economic and social activities in the area.

The commendation came during a media inspection tour of ongoing and completed projects in Edo South Senatorial District. The tour was led by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele.

During the inspection, journalists visited the completed Evbuotubu Road, the ongoing Mechanic Road project off Siluko Road linking Upper Erhunmwunse, and the Okhunmwun Community Road, which connects the Benin-Lagos Expressway to Siluko Road.

Residents of Evbuotubu expressed delight over the transformation of the community, noting that the road had remained in a deplorable condition for years, making movement difficult and negatively affecting businesses and daily activities.

Chairman of commercial tricycle operators in the area, Mr. Osayi Wilfred, said transport operators and residents endured years of hardship due to the poor state of the road before the intervention of the state government.
“I have been operating on this road for the past 13 years, and we suffered greatly because of its terrible condition. Every year, we tried to grade it ourselves, but the erosion was overwhelming.

“When this administration came on board, we were surprised to see construction equipment mobilised to the site. The project was completed within a short period, and today we are enjoying the benefits. Business activities have improved significantly, and people who left the area are gradually returning,” he said.
Wilfred appealed to the governor to extend similar intervention to Owena Road leading to Ekhenwan.

Also speaking, a business owner in the area, Mrs. Blessing Monday, praised Governor Okpebholo for bringing relief to residents and traders.
“Before now, whenever it rained, accessing our homes and shops became almost impossible. At times, we had to remain in our shops until floodwaters receded before returning home. Today, we are grateful to Governor Monday Okpebholo because the muddy road is gone, and businesses can now operate freely,” she said.

At the Mechanic Road project site, journalists observed that stone-base work had been completed, while side drains had already been constructed. Workers were also seen handling major drainage channels designed to effectively manage stormwater and channel it safely into nearby waterways.

Residents expressed confidence that the extensive drainage infrastructure would enhance the durability of the road upon completion.
A landlord in the area, Mr. Efemena Kingsley, commended the ongoing work and urged the government to sustain quality control throughout the construction process.

“When this road is completed from Mechanic Junction to the power line, it will be of immense benefit to the community. It will provide an alternative route for motorists coming from Ekhenwan Road and improve connectivity to Siluko Road. This is a very important project,” he said.

At the Okhunmwun Community Road project, asphalt laying has commenced from the Siluko Road axis, with construction progressing steadily towards completion.

Speaking after the tour, Dr. Ebojele said the inspection was organised to give journalists the opportunity to independently assess the level of work being carried out by the Okpebholo administration across the state.

“We invited journalists to see firsthand what the governor is doing in terms of road infrastructure development. Many of these roads had been abandoned for years and were severely affected by erosion.

“You have seen how this administration is restoring life to these communities. This area around Evbuotubu Junction on Ekhenwan Road would have been inaccessible during the rainy season last year, but today vehicles can move freely without difficulty,” he said.
Ebojele added that road projects were being executed across the three senatorial districts of the state, stressing that the government remained committed to balanced and equitable development.
“We have ongoing projects in Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North. This inspection tour is important because it helps to correct the misconception that government projects are concentrated in one part of the state. Edo South, in particular, has received a significant share of these interventions, and more projects are underway across the state,” he stated.
The strongest newspaper-style headline is:
Residents Hail Okpebholo as Evbuotubu Road Opens, Okhunmwun and Mechanic Roads Near Completion.