2 YEARS OF ASPHALT: OKPEBHOLO’S ROAD REVOLUTION CONNECTING EDO CENTRAL, NORTH & SOUTH

NEWS EDITORIAL

By Festus Alenkhe_

Two years ago, Edo people voted for action. Today, the evidence is on the ground — in the hum of graders, the laying of asphalt, and roads that were once death traps now opening up for business, farming, and daily life.

Under *Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo*, the story of Edo’s infrastructure has changed from promises to projects. His administration has made road construction the loudest voice of government, and it is speaking clearly across *Edo Central, Edo North, and Edo South*.

* SOME ROADS OPENED UP, CONCLUDED & READY FOR COMMISSIONING*

The governor’s “SHINE agenda” is yielding visible results. Some projects are completed and awaiting commissioning, while others are at advanced stages:

*Edo South – Benin & Environs*

 *Ramat Park Flyover* – Edo’s first flyover. Construction has reached 99% completion and will be ready for Commissioning in November,  2026.

The 949-metre bridge with 350m and 214m adjoining roads is set to decongest Benin City traffic.

 *Ohoghobi – Evbhukhu Boundary Road* – A 14km erosion control and drainage project spanning Oghehe, Sapele Old Road and adjoining routes. The 2.5km section includes 1.2x1m reinforced concrete drains and 250mm pavement. Now almost completed. 

 *Amufi–Okpagha–Egan Road* – 8.25km road linking Benin–Agbor and Benin–Auchi highways, with 5 water retention facilities to tackle decades of flooding.

*Okhunmwun Road* – Alternative route for Oluku, Siluko and Ekehuan axis. 1.2km already asphalted, with 4.5km earthwork done.

 *Upper Ekehuan Road* – Concrete pavement ongoing from Okhokhugbo to Ughineh. Catholic Charismatic Road also under construction. 

 *Palace Road & Ekiuwa–UNIBEN Road* – Long stretch asphalted, Ekiuwa gully fully reclaimed.

*Sapele Road* – Major rehabilitation ongoing. Governor says parts linking Edo and Delta will be opened to traffic in coming weeks.

*Edo Central – Esan Land*

 *Ekpoma–Uromi–Ubiaja Dualisation* – Ongoing dualisation. Governor said “from Ekpoma to Ubiaja, we are dualising the road”. *Amedokhian–Iruele–Awo Road* – Second phase ongoing in Esan North East/Central.

 *Unewa–Ohe–Uzea–Awo Road* – 26km stretch that will link over 15 communities and connect to the railway station at Awo. *Ewu–Uromi–Igueben–Ekpoma 11.5km Dualisation* – Contractor confident of delivery on schedule.

 *Iruekpen–Ozalla–Sabo Road* – Recently approved for construction.

 *Uromi–Onewa–Udomi–Ibhiolulu–Afuda–Idumoza Road* – Among critical routes under rehabilitation. The project is now at advanced stage.

*Edo North – Afemai Land*

*Auchi–Igarra–Ibillo Road* – 9.6km road under construction. Also palliative works on Auchi–Igarra–Aiyetoro–Unemu–Nekhua–Aiyegunle–Ekpesa–Ibillo–Ekor road.

15. *Auchi–Igarra–Aiyetoro Corridor* – Over 45 failed portions being fixed to improve travel and link to neighbouring states.

*Statewide & Institutional*

 *Edo State Polytechnic, Usen – 5km Internal Roads* 5km network of internal roads now ready for use. *Ukpenu–Emuhi–Ugiamen–Ehor Road* – Recently approved for construction. 

*WHAT THIS MEANS FOR EDO PEOPLE*

For decades, communities in Ohoghobi, Amufi, Okpagha and across Akoko-Edo lived with erosion and impassable roads. Today, drainage is 80% complete, contractors are on site because “contractors are not being owed”, and rural farmers now have access to markets.

Governor Okpebholo puts it plainly: _“I am here to work for the people of Edo State, just as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu works for Nigerians, bringing hope to the people”_. That hope is now measured in kilometres of asphalt.

From linking *15+ communities in Edo Central*, to opening *alternative routes in Edo South*, to fixing *failed portions in Edo North*, the administration is proving that infrastructure can be equitable. 

As we approach 12th November for the 2-years in office of the current Edo state administration, many of these roads are ready for commissioning. Others are ongoing but moving fast, thanks to prompt funding.

EVEN WITH THE RAINS, ALL THE ROAD PROJECTS ARE MOVING STEADILY. 

Edo is no longer waiting. Edo is moving.

And the road to that movement was built — one ward, one LGA, one senatorial district and one state at a time.

_Festus Alenkhe writes from Benin City_.