*We Are Enjoying Here, Petrol Cheaper In Nigeria Than UK, Says Okpebholo
DELTA State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has commended the Federal Government’s decision to commence emergency repairs on the dilapidated Benin-Asaba Road, saying the intervention is a major step towards restoring the critical economic corridor.
Oborevwori stated that the road was particularly important to Delta and Edo states, being a major artery linking communities, commercial centres, as well as the South-South and Southeast regions.
The governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, at the ‘Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road’ exercise in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Thursday, September 24, attributed its deterioration largely to the failure of the concessionaire to meet the objectives of the concession agreement.
He said the deplorable condition had subjected motorists, commuters and businesses to untold hardship; hence: “We are, therefore, delighted that the Federal Government has deemed it fit to give life back to this important road corridor, which connects not only the commercial centres of the Southeast, but also the burgeoning business centres in Delta and Edo states.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for the intervention, noting: “We look forward to seeing the work commence in earnest and to having this important road restored to a standard that will ease the movement of people and goods, revive commercial activities and improve the economic fortunes of our people.”
The commissioner highlighted Delta’s collaboration with the Federal Government on federal roads, citing the state’s intervention on the Warri-Sapele Road, where it constructed the section from the U-turn at the Spare Parts Market to Ohore Junction with concrete rigid pavement.
He assured that the state would continue to support efforts to address critical infrastructure challenges and commended Umahi for the intervention on the First Niger Bridge, expressing optimism about its reopening after major rehabilitation works.
Speaking at the event, Umahi said the emergency rehabilitation was not awarded as a conventional contract, but involved the deployment of equipment hired from contractors operating along the corridor, including Hi-Tech, CCECC and CBC.
The minister explained that the intervention was expected to restore the road within four weeks, saying the President had directed the redesign of the entire 136-kilometre Benin-Asaba dual carriageway with reinforced concrete pavement for long-term reconstruction.
He stated that the Federal Government had offered the concessionaire three options to continue with the project, but the options failed, prompting the ministry to intervene in the public interest.
He restated that the concessionaire lacked the engineering and financial capacity to execute the project and had breached provisions of the concession agreement.
Umahi announced that the emergency works would commence from the Edo axis, with particular attention to the Benin Bypass, while supervising engineers would be deployed to different sections to monitor the work and ensure compliance with standards.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, thanked Tinubu for ordering the intervention, urging those handling the project to ensure quality, adherence to specifications and timely completion.
Okpebholo defended the current price of petrol in Nigeria, saying the product remains relatively affordable when compared with prices in the United Kingdom (UK) and other countries.
The governor said he recently visited London and used the opportunity to compare petrol prices in the UK with those in Nigeria, noting that petrol costs about N3,000 per litre in England when converted to naira.
According to him: “I was in London last week. I went to buy fuel with my friend, just to know the cost of fuel between Nigeria and England.
“Let me tell you, after conversion, it’s about N3, 000 per litre. We are enjoying here.
“The President is stabilising the economy. He is an economist.”
The governor described Tinubu as a technocrat, saying those from the business sector would have their opportunity to lead the country at another time, adding: “Our President is not a supermarket man. Let supermarket people wait for their time to rule Nigeria, if technocrat is not here again, then they will come.”
