By Monday Ajogun
Some Edo residents have commended Gov. Monday Okpebholo for constructing the 8.6-kilometre Okpagha-Amufi Road and adjoining streets, saying the projects have improved living conditions and tackled erosion.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports on Wednesday that the roads feature fresh asphalt, dual-carriage drainage systems and pavement upgrades, connecting key communities such as Okpagha, Amufi, Iyanomo, Iguomon, Eyaen, Ighekpe and Ohovbe.
NAN reports that the Okpagha-Amufi Road links the Benin-Asaba Road to the Benin-Auchi Road and cuts across the Ikpoba-Okha and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas of the state.
NAN further gathered that the road construction covers Agbonze Street 1, Agbonze Street 2, Michael Aigbadion Street, Daddy J.1, Daddy J.2, Ewemade Street and Boundary (4-Junction).
Other streets constructed include Upper Egharevha Street and Ebor Street.
Mr Laurence Agbonaynma, a resident, said he was transferred to a church in the area in 2024 and was disappointed by the poor condition of Okpagha Road at the time.
Agbonaynma said the condition of the road was so bad that he was sometimes forced to park his car and use a motorcycle to reach the church.
He said he had experienced two incidents of falling into erosion channels while riding a motorcycle to the church.
Agbonaynma, however, commended Okpebholo for the ongoing development in the state.
Reacting to claims by some people that the governor was not working, he said Okpebholo was performing and pledged to continue praying for his protection.
He urged residents of areas where roads had yet to be developed to remain patient and pray for their turn, rather than making negative comments about the government.
He said the residents would reciprocate the governor’s gesture with their votes in future elections.
According to him, Okpebholo is a “talk-and-do” governor who fulfils his promises to the people.
“We are going to reward him with our votes. We are going to vote for all the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in next year’s election and also reward him with our votes in the 2028 Edo governorship election.
“He is the number one candidate we can vote for.
“He is a good man, and he is getting the desired support from President Bola Tinubu to fast-track development in Edo.
“That is the reason why we will vote for them,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Tina Azubuike, a resident of Okpagha, said she had lived in the area for more than three years before the construction of the road.
Azubuike said the road project had helped to address the erosion crisis in the community.
She added that the construction of Ewemade Street in Okpagha had improved the living conditions of residents, who previously had to contend with stagnant water and erosion.
“For constructing our road, we are going to vote for Tinubu and Okpebholo in their respective elections,” she said.
A resident of Amufi, Mr Dickson Nkwor of Michael Aigbadion Street, commended Okpebholo for the construction of the Okpagha-Amufi Road, which links various communities.
Nkwor said the newly completed phase of the road had improved economic activities in the area, adding that the residents would reward Okpebholo with their votes for the good work(NAN)
AJOM/KOO