Kingsley Ohens reporting 

BENIN CITY — The Edo State Projects Implementation and Monitoring Department (PIMD) has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for sustaining the execution of major road and infrastructure projects across the state, describing the administration’s ongoing construction drive as bold, ambitious and impactful.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on PIMD, Mrs. Phoebe Williams-Bello, gave the commendation on Wednesday during the department’s quarterly inspection of ongoing projects across Benin City and other parts of the state.

Williams-Bello noted that despite the challenges posed by the current rainy season, contractors handling several road and bridge projects across the state had remained active on site, which she attributed to the administration’s commitment to funding its infrastructure programme.

She said the pace of construction was particularly encouraging given the heavy rainfall experienced across Edo, stressing that the government was determined to ensure that the projects progressed without compromising quality.

“Presently, we are in the rainy season, and Edo has a lot of rainy weather, if not more than the dry season, and contractors are still on sites. Why? Because the governor is funding the projects,” she said.

The PIMD boss said contractors had also been advised to maximise the rainy season by concentrating on concrete works and other construction activities that could be effectively undertaken during the period.

She urged contractors to maintain the required standards and deliver durable infrastructure, while noting that where projects had not yet reached the pavement stage, contractors were being encouraged to undertake palliative measures to provide temporary relief for road users.

Williams-Bello expressed satisfaction with the quality and progress of work observed during the inspection, adding that the monitoring exercise was part of the government’s effort to ensure that public infrastructure projects were delivered according to specifications, timelines and expected standards.

At the Adesuwa Flyover project, the Technical Officer in charge, Mr. Shola Adegboye, said the construction had reached significant progress, with workers taking advantage of the rainy season to concentrate on concrete-related activities.

Adegboye explained that work was ongoing on the pile cap, retaining walls and piers, adding that the project was approaching 60 per cent completion.

“We are taking advantage of the rainy season to focus on the concrete works so that by the time the dry season sets in, our concrete is already up. Then we can do our filling and the project begins to take shape,” he said.

He assured that the project remained within the agreed delivery timeline.

Similarly, an engineer from the Edo State Ministry of Works, Mr. Theophilous Obasuyi, put the overall completion level of the Adesuwa Flyover at about 50 per cent, noting that the pace of construction remained consistent with the project’s approved schedule.

At the Uhie road project, the engineer handling the 4.7-kilometre construction, Mr. Mohamed Fathy, also assured that the road would be completed and delivered within the stipulated timeframe.

The inspection team visited several strategic projects, including the Adesuwa Flyover, rehabilitation works on the Benin-Sapele Road, the Benin-Sapele Water Storm Project, Evbukhu and Old Road construction projects, Ramat Park Flyover and the Oghgeghe Road project, among others.

The inspection underscores the PIMD’s continued focus on monitoring project execution, identifying challenges early and ensuring that contractors remain accountable for quality, timelines and value for public funds.

With construction activities continuing despite the rainy season, the Edo State Government appears determined to sustain its infrastructure push as part of Governor Okpebholo’s broader development agenda, with road connectivity and urban infrastructure remaining key components of the administration’s drive to improve mobility and stimulate economic activity across the state.