GROUPS PROTEST DEPLORABLE STATE OF BENIN/AUCHI HIGHWAY
... calls on govt to fix failed portions of Ekpoma axis
By: Oriaifoh Godwins
The ongoing protest by the people of Edo central Senatorial district, championed by Esan Liberation Movement and the Concerned Ekpoma Eminent Stakeholders Forum groups began on Monday, 22nd August 2022.
The Convener, Esan Liberation Movement, Hon. Prosper Iyere as well as the Convener, Concerned Ekpoma Eminent Stakeholders Forum, Dr. Jude Obasanmi, who spoke on behalf of the entire Esan people, stressed on the need for the government as well as all the Stakeholders concerned to as a matter of urgency, do the needful in ensuring that the failed portion of the Edo central axis of the Highway is fixed.
Speaking, Hon. Prosper Iyere said; '...we have written to the Edo state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Senator representing Edo Central at the National Assembly, Senator Clifford Ordia, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, the two members of Edo central at the National Assembly, Hon. Joe Edionwele, and Hon. Sergius Ogun, as well as the Minister for Environment, Hon. Clem Agba, to formally inform them of the deplorable condition of the Ekpoma axis of the Benin/Auchi highway...' He added that none of them has so far responded to the letters, despite the fact that it has been five days that the letters were sent to them.
Barr. Agbator, another prominent indigene and resident of Ekpoma, who pointed out that the protest is the best way to draw government's attention to the pains people are currently passing through as a result of the failed portions of the Benin/Auchi highway, however enjoined the protesters to be law abiding as they pass their message to the government.
On his part, Dr. Jude Obasanmi, the Convener of the Concerned Ekpoma Eminent Stakeholders Forum,CEESF, was moved to tears as he explained the harrowing experience that the people of Ekpoma pass through on a daily basis, as a result of the failed portions of the highway. He narrated the story of a woman who fell off a bike and got her leg broken and rhetorically asked; '... how long are we going to continue like this'?
It was however gathered that the contract for the reconstruction and expansion of Edo central axis of the Benin/Auchi highway was awarded to Dantata and Sawoe construction company, however, the slow pace of work on the road, has been a major concern to the people of Edo central in particular and those that ply the highway in general.
As at the time of the protest, trailers and other heavy duty vehicles were seen parked on a long queue from the Ujoelen axis of the highway where the protesters gathered, up to Ambrose Alli University main gate and beyond, towards Benin and the same thing applies to the stretch towards Auchi where the queue extended beyond the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.
The groups insisted that they will continue to occupy the road until works on the road commences. According to them, only palliatives can no longer fix the road but a complete reworking.
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