Kingsley Ohens reporting
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for residents with the commissioning of newly procured light and heavy-duty equipment designed for the maintenance of roads across the state.
The commissioning ceremony, held at the premises of the Edo State Ministry of Works along Sapele Road in Benin City, marks a strategic step in the government’s broader agenda to address longstanding road infrastructure challenges and build a more efficient and sustainable transportation network.
Speaking at the event, Governor Okpebholo acknowledged the difficulties faced by residents due to years of deteriorating road conditions, noting that poor road networks have contributed to avoidable accidents, higher transportation costs, delayed movement of goods and services, and lost economic opportunities.
According to the governor, the deployment of modern maintenance equipment represents a decisive effort to reverse that trend and ensure a more responsive and sustainable road maintenance system across the state.
“For many years, our people have endured the burden of poor roads, leading to higher transportation costs, preventable accidents, slower movement of goods and missed economic opportunities,” the governor stated. “Bad roads do not just slow down traffic; they slow down the progress of society. They affect farmers, businesses, workers and students alike.”
He explained that the newly acquired equipment would significantly strengthen the state’s capacity to respond quickly to road failures, repair potholes, rehabilitate damaged sections, and maintain roads more efficiently across communities.
Governor Okpebholo also charged engineers and technical operators responsible for managing the equipment to handle them with professionalism and diligence in order to maximize their impact on road infrastructure development.
“When I assumed office, my foremost resolve was to fix Edo State. Today we have set the process in motion. With these machines, we can respond rapidly to road maintenance needs and ensure our roads remain functional for economic growth and public safety,” he said.
The governor further noted that his administration’s development agenda aligns with the Renewed Hope policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing that strong collaboration with the federal government will help accelerate infrastructure development in Edo State.
He added that beyond road infrastructure, the state government is also positioning itself to expand development into the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, reflecting a forward-looking governance approach that integrates technology into economic development.
In his remarks, Edo State Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa commended President Tinubu for supporting the developmental strides of the Okpebholo administration, noting that Edo residents are already witnessing visible progress across different sectors.
The Commissioner for Works, Felix Akhabue, revealed that upon assumption of office he met a ministry that lacked the equipment necessary for effective operations, leaving many professionals unable to carry out their duties efficiently. He therefore commended the governor for prioritizing the acquisition of modern equipment that will restore operational capacity to the ministry.
Akhabue also stressed the importance of developing a strong maintenance culture in public infrastructure management, assuring that qualified engineers within the ministry will ensure the equipment is properly maintained and effectively deployed across the state.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Edo State Road Maintenance Agency, Felix Ibhade, described the commissioning as a significant milestone that will strengthen the agency’s capacity to tackle road maintenance challenges throughout Edo State’s three senatorial districts.
He noted that the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to aligning Edo’s development priorities with national infrastructure goals under the Renewed Hope agenda.
Commenting on the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, highlighted that the commissioning demonstrates the administration’s determination to move beyond policy declarations by making tangible investments in infrastructure that directly affect the daily lives of citizens.
With the deployment of the newly commissioned equipment, the Edo State government expects to significantly improve road maintenance response time, enhance connectivity between communities, and support economic activities across the state.
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