Edo Missing as FG Approves N631.3bn for Nine Major Road Projects
By DADA AYOKHAI
Edo State is among the states missing from the nine major road projects across the country approved for construction and rehabilitation by the Federal Government.
President Bola Tinubu recently approved N631.3 billion for the projects.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The nine approved roads are:
· N209bn – Reconstruction of 81.1km Ado–Ilawe–Ilumaba–Ikole Road in Ekiti, including a bridge
· N167bn – Reconstruction of 95km Etuke–Okeni–Ankpa–Otopa Road in Kogi
· N89.2bn – Construction of 47km Bichi Ring Road with flyover in Kano
· N62bn – Tungo–Karamti Road linking Adamawa and Taraba, with 5 bridges
· Remedial works on deteriorated sections of the East–West Road
· N28.218bn – Rehabilitation of 17km Sokoto–Illela Road, Route A1
· N20.257bn – 18km road linking Asaba to Port Harcourt–Enugu Expressway
· N11.33bn – Road project previously undertaken by Abia Government under NNPC tax-credit scheme
· N14.486bn – Dikko–Maje link road connecting to Suleja–Minna Road in Niger State
According to Umahi, the road projects are spread across the six geopolitical zones and are aimed at boosting economic activities, easing transportation and connecting key commercial hubs.
He said the approval underscores the commitment of the Tinubu administration to fixing Nigeria’s dilapidated road infrastructure inherited from previous administrations.
The omission of Edo State is another shocker, especially as Governor Monday Okpebholo has given the impression that he has the ear of the President.
While the governor and his team are projecting 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu, the President does not appear to consider the state in his agenda.
Before now, the President had removed Edo from the states to be visited during his nationwide campaign.
Virtually all federal roads in Edo are in a deplorable state without any plan for repairs.
With this latest decision, political observers are asking what Governor Okpebholo will use to market President Tinubu to Edo people. The Benin-Auchi, Benin-Sapele and Benin-Agbor roads remain death traps, yet the state was conspicuously ignored in the N631.3bn largesse.
It has also further exposed the hollowness of the governor’s claim of closeness to the Presidency. If closeness cannot translate to federal presence, road infrastructure, or presidential visit, then the promised 2.5 million votes may be a hard sell to a disillusioned populace.
For many Edo residents, the federal government’s neglect has reinforced the feeling that the state is an afterthought in the current administration’s Renewed Hope agenda, leaving the governor with little concrete achievement to campaign with.
Edo Missing as FG Approves N631.3bn for Nine Major Road Projects
