The Federal Government has commended the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his swift and commendable intervention on the dilapidated 23-kilometre Benin–Warri Road, a major economic corridor linking the South-South and other regions of the country.
In a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, lauded the Edo State Governor for demonstrating uncommon leadership and a deep sense of responsibility by stepping in where the federal infrastructure had suffered neglect.
According to the Ministry, the state government’s ongoing reconstruction of the road, particularly around the failed portions near Ologbo and bypass axis of the road, has not only restored vehicular movement but also alleviated the suffering of thousands of commuters and transporters who rely on the route for daily economic activity.
“Governor Monday Okpebholo’s proactive effort on the Benin–Warri Road deserves national recognition. This is the kind of leadership Nigeria needs; leaders who act in the interest of the people, irrespective of jurisdictional boundaries,” the statement reads.
The 23km stretch, which had been impassable for months due to erosion, potholes, and general disrepair, is now undergoing extensive reconstruction work under the supervision of the Edo State Ministry of Works.
Heavy equipment, asphalt laying machines, and road engineering teams have been mobilized to restore the critical link between Benin City and Warri.
Speaking during a recent site visit, Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure renewal, stating that he could not ignore the hardship faced by Edo residents and other Nigerians due to the deplorable state of the federal road.
“This road may be federally owned, but the people who suffer from its neglect are our people – Edo people. We cannot fold our hands and be giving excuses of whose responsibility it is to fix the road or not, while our citizens suffer. We are stepping in now because leadership must be responsive and empathetic,” Okpebholo said.
The governor also emphasized that his administration is engaging the Federal Government for a formal partnership to ensure full reconstruction of the road, while calling on the Ministry of Works to expedite approvals and reimbursements for the state’s emergency intervention.
Local residents, business owners, and transport operators have expressed gratitude to the state government, noting that the intervention has brought significant relief. According to them, travel time has drastically reduced and the threat of accidents or breakdowns has significantly diminished.
As economic activities gradually return to the corridor, stakeholders have described the governor’s move as not only timely but visionary, positioning Edo State once again as a hub for regional development and national connectivity.
The Federal Government has assured of its collaboration with the state government on future infrastructure projects and pledged to fast-track technical and financial support for the continuation and eventual completion of the Benin–Warri Road.
