By Balikis Ajoyo
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured contractors handling road projects across the state of continued government funding and support to ensure significant progress before Christmas.
Okpebholo gave the assurance on Monday while inspecting ongoing work on the Arue-Uromi-Agbor road projects in Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, the governor said construction work was progressing despite challenges posed by the rainy season.
He said the state government would continue to support contractors and release funds as resources became available, with the aim of ensuring steady progress on the various road projects.
According to Okpebholo, the rainy season had restricted major construction activities, making drainage works the current priority at several project sites.
He said, “By the grace of God, we are looking at what we can achieve between now and Christmas, because of the rainy season, nothing much can actually be done. The only thing they can do now is the drainage, which they are working on, and we are seeing the progress they are making across the various sites.”
The governor added that his administration remained committed to providing contractors with the resources required to sustain construction work across the state.
He expressed optimism that the projects would improve road infrastructure and ease movement for residents and motorists, particularly during the Christmas period.
Meanwhile, the Area Manager of Setraco Nigeria Ltd., Michel Aoy, said the Irrua-Uromi bypass road would be nine metres wide on each side, with a concrete barrier separating both carriageways and street lighting along the route.
Aoy said drainage construction, which he described as one of the most difficult stages of the project, had already recorded significant progress.
He, however, noted that securing the right of way for the 18.6-metre-wide road, alongside a drainage corridor of about 20 metres, had posed a major challenge to the project.