On his visit to Benin in 1475, The first European explorer, the Portuguese, Alphonso d'iveirra said that "the streets of Benin are as wide as the streets of Amsterdam in Holland." This is an indication of the level of development and civilization which took place in Benin before contact with external influence from Europe. The above probably inspired Dr. S. O. Ogbemudia, who on assumption of office as military governor of the them Midwestern State, designed the Benin master plan consisting of road network. He also followed them with massive construction such that Benin City today has once of the best road network in Africa.
However, the continued domination of politic
by the Khaki boys for a long period brought military administrator to the old Bendel State heading to a disconnect in the development and lack of maintenance of the roads not only in Benin but the entire State. They were more interested in looting the resources to their States of origin.
Indeed, one would have expected democracy and the opportunity of provided with civilian rule to be utilised to the advantage of the Edo people since May 1999.
This did not happen because the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which ruled the state for a period of over nine years did not know how to translate the mandate into concrete development .
It was the reign of the godfathers such that the state of roads in Benin City and other parts of the State were grossly neglected, with resounding repercussions in socio-economic towns.
Now this was the situation when Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole assumed office on November 12, 2008, following his victory at the Court Appeal. Faced with enormous challenges, the Comrade Governor deemed it wise to give top priority to the development of roads and the transport sector in Edo State. The development of this sector, he probably felt is capable of not only boosting the socio-economic activities in the state but the tourism potential.
The Oshiomhole administration was engaged in strategic planning and design of these roads in line with the Benin City master plan in the first few months in office. This, his critics mistook for non-performance as they accused the Comrade governor of talking too much. The governor told the people that soonest his bulldozers will be speaking for him.
This words becomes real when a large number of Construction companies flooded the state with heavy equipment and leading to massive road construction and rehabilitation unprecedented in the history of the state.
Some of there companies included, Hitech Nigerian Limited, Reynhold Construction Company, Setraco Nigeria Limited, Hartland Nigeria Limited, Italian Construction giant, Boroni prono, Gomem Nigeria Limited. The list can by no means exhausted.
Following the above, the Oshiomhole administration has awarded contracts for the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of 65 roads spread across the three Senatorial zones of Edo State. Thus, he has in the past 2 years, turned the state into a huge project site.
The comrade governor now talk less because his bulldozer are already speaking for him.
While it will difficult to mention all the roads currently being handled by the state government, it will be pertinent identify some of them across the different parts of the state. Some of there roads have been completed while work is still on going in many.
In Benin City Ogida Street, off Siluko Road, sections of Akenzua Street sections of Uwelu Road, sections of Upper Mission Road, sections of Boundary Road, sections of New Lagos Road by Eghosa Grammar School, sections of street, off 2nd West Circular Road and several others have been completed.
In 2nd West circular Road and Arusaghe Street, have been completed and commissioned while rehabilitation is ongoing in the following Stadium roads section of New Lagos Road.
The five junction study design and construction of flood control structures as well as upgrading of the roads, including provision of street lights and beautification is on going.
The dualisation of Oba Market Road asphalt over lay of Ring Road have been completed while and expansion of new Lagos Road from Uselu shell through New Benin Market to Akpakpava Road from Ring Road to Ikpoba River is ongoing.
Among the major ongoing projects in Benin City are the dualisation of Sapele Road from Ring Road to Murtala Mohammed Way Junction dualisation of Airport Road to Ogba River Bridge and dusalisation of Siluko Road phase 1.
There are however several road projects in Edo South Senatorial Zone outride Benin City one of which is the reconstruction of Iguobazuwa-Umaza-Siluko Road presently on going.
The people and communities of Edo Central Senatorial Zone have been well integrated into the road projects of the Oshiomhole administration. The reconstruction of the following roads is ongoing. Isua-Uzenama-Ebele Road Igueben-Udo Road, Igueben-Ewohimi-Ewatto-Ohordua Roads, Amendokhian, Ugboha Road and Ujoigba Road.
The attention accorded roads development in Edo North has in the past two years put a smile on the faces of the people. To this end construction work is ongoing in these roads: Jattu –Afoua-Iyora-Apana-Ayogwiri, Ihievbe-Sebe-Ogbe, Jattu-Ayua, Auchi- Jattu-Afashio-Ikabigbo-Ojio, Ososo-Ojah-Uneme Osu-Ewan-Igarra,Ayogwiri-Apana-Imiegba-Okpekpe, Ekperi-Anegbette Road and Bridge. Others include Jattu-Ibie Road, Ivbioghe-Iyora. Road.
The Various contractors handling these road projects were adequately mobilised to site. The momentary show pale of work in some of the sites is largely due to heavy rains. Now that we are moving into the dry season, the jobs will move faster to facilitate timely completion of jobs.
In all. Some of these roads have been constructed to advanced stage and indication that the era of abandoned road projects in Edo State has been swept to the dustbin of history.
It is no exaggeration to assert that the people and Edo public are agreed that they are witnessing real development now and their loyalty and support of government can not be doubted.
Prayers have been ongoing in several communities for God to give the Comrade Governor the resources to actualise his dreams for Edo State.
It should be noted however that when these road projects are finally completed, the difficulty experienced in evacuating goods especially from the rural to urban communities will be come a thing of the past in Edo State.
The development of our roads and the entire transport sector has a multiplier effect on our economy, ranging from employment generation, easy movement of goods and passengers, same of time long life span of vehicles reduction of accidents and creation of a healthy environment. Already the various Construction firms are providing employment for youths some whom were hitherto thugs. Consistently, criminal activities are reducing.
It is hoped that when completed the roads in Edo State will lead to an increase in the quality of life of the people.
It will also heave a legacy for, successive governments to build upon because the quality of jobs is comparable to international standard as alerted to by several government and non-governmental agencies. Added to the above is that tourism and night life will be fully restored. We shall like the clan of Alphonso d'iverra have a Benin City and a state comparable to cities in the Netherlands. O. Igbinosun | 
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