By Dada AYOKHAI
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commissioned new light and heavy-duty equipment to tackle bad roads across the state, just weeks after procuring similar ones for local governments.
The Governor stated that the equipment is meant for road maintenance across the state .
He noted that for many years, Edo people have endured the burden of poor roads, leading to death, higher transportation costs, preventable accidents, slower movement of goods and services, and missed economic opportunities.
He added that the event marks a very important step in the commitment of his administration to sustainable roads network in Edo State.
“For many years, our people have endured the burden of poor roads, leading to death, higher transportation costs, preventable accidents, slower movement of goods and services, and missed economic opportunities”.
Gov Okpebholo said bad roads do not just slow down traffic; they slow down the progress of our society. “They make it difficult for farmers to move their produce to markets, for businesses to transport goods, for workers to get to their jobs, and for our children to get to school safely.
“This is why today’s commissioning of these newly procured light and heavy-duty road maintenance equipment is so significant. These machines represent our resolve to maintain our roads in a more sustainable manner.
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The commissioner for Works Felix Akhabue said on the assumption of office, he met a Ministry in a sorry State but commended governor Okpebholo for stepping in to turn the narrative of the ministry around.
He noted that the staff of the ministry are idle because there is no equipment to work. “We appreciate the governor for the purchase of these equipment for the maintenance of our roads across Edo State.
“We lack maintenance culture in Nigeria and governor Okpebhole is aware of this that was why he bought these maintenance equipment to keep Edo State roads in good shape”.
He assured the governor that the ministry has qualified engineers to maintain these equipment and will deliver on their maintenance responsibilities to ensure that the equipment is in good shape to continue to maintain roads across Edo State.
The Chairman of Edo State road maintenance agency, Felix Ibhade said the developmental leadership of governor Monday Okpebholo is visible across the three Senatorial Districts.
“We are particularly delighted that Edo State with the shining agenda of governor Okpebhole is aligning with the developmental vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose renewal hope agenda priorities infrastructural development and national progress.
“This commissioning is a bold step which will strengthen the capacity of the agency to address the road maintenance challenges across the State “.
