- Says road will boosts economic activities, curb insecurity
From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Sen Monday Okphebholo, has flagged off the construction of 6km Onewa – Uwessan road in Edo Central Senatorial District.
The road which connects Esan North East Local Government and Esan Central Local Government Areas in Edo Central links 6 communities and is expected to open them up for economic activities on completion.
Addressing the community members that trooped out to witness the history making event, Sen. Monday Okphebholo said the road is of significance to him as it was one of the major routes he used when he was much younger to hawk and make ends meet.
Okpebholo expressing despair at the neglect of the road by previous government said on completion, the road will open up the communities and make it easier for them to transport their farm produce to the market.
He also noted that, opening up the road will curb the activities of kidnappers and other nefarious activities within the axis.
Assuring the community members of completion within record time, Sen. Monday Okphebholo said, “We want to assure you that this road will be completed within 4 months. Before the rains starts in earnest, and before the elections, we would have completed this road.
“With this road constructed, kidnapping on the route will drastically reduced. Our people will be able to harvest their products and take them to the market to sell and make profit for themselves. No more wastage”, Okpebholo said.
Appreciating the senator for his thoughtfulness and remembering the community, an elder of one of the communities, Mr Solomon Okunbor said the road before now was impassable which makes it almost impossible to relate with people from neighboring communities.
Mr Okunbor said, “I want to thank you so much for coming to our aid. When he came and said he will tar our road, we didn’t take him seriously because, we have been hearing similar promises since 1999 with nothing to show for it. But now, we can see that truly to his word, work has commenced just as he said. Thank you so much. We have never had it this good.”
Speaking also, another member of the affected community, Mr. Benson Idiagbonya said the community will be ever grateful to Senator Monday Okphebholo for bringing government’s presence to their community for the first time since the return of democracy in 1999. He urged him to ensure that the road is completed just as he has promised.
The Onewa – Uwessan road which connects Esan North East Local Government Area and Esan Central Local Government Areas of Edo Central is a strategic route that links 5 communities including Idumoza Community, Udomi Community, Ibhiolulu Community, Ujabhole Community, Audra Community and Unogbo Community.