Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Residents of Iguobazuwa in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State have commended the state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki for reconstructing the 2.05 Iguobazuwa Hospital road.
Speaking at the community, Mr. Elvis Osagiede, resident of the area, said that the reconstruction of the road came to them as a big surprise as they least expected it at this critical time.
He said they will do everything within their power to ensure that the road is in a very good shape noting that the road has enhanced the economic activities of the area.
“We will try our best to keep the road in good shape because this project here is a rare privilege given to us by the governor and we will also ensure that will guide it jealously so that it can stand the test of time”, Osagiede said.
Also speaking, Mrs. Doris Osatohanmwen who could not hide her feelings, prayed that God should continue to bless the governor for all that he is doing for the people of the state.
“This road is very good and I like it. The governor who has decided to remember us, may God Almighty bless him”, Osatohanmwen said.
For Mr. Austin Esemwingie, he thanked the governor of the state and the Commissioner for Roads and Bridges Engr Ethan Uzamere for doing a good job in the community.
“I thank the governor for giving us a good road and I also thank the Commissioner that is here today. We still need more projects”, Esemwingie added.
Addressing journalists during a routine check of the Iguobazuwa Hospital road which is 2.05km, fully asphalted, the Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, Engr. Ethan Uzamere, said the road will boost the economic activities of the community and by extension, the state’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
“As you can see, this road leads to different farms and also leads to a General Hospital. There is also a few religious centres around here but also a big residential community in this area.
“So, it actually opens up the inner streets of the community.
“The roads comprise 2.05km Iguobazuwa hospital road, 7.1km Usen Okoro (reconstruction and rehabilitation), 1.45km Okemola road, and 2.5km Ugboguiyi road, making up the 13.22km roads cumulatively”, Uzamere said.
Uzamere further blamed the issues of failed portion on man made activities and which must be checked collectively.
“One of the issues affecting our roads are external factors. Coming now, you see that most of the reasons are because of borrow pits.
“People are taking sand from the pit and this is actually making our roads to fail. It is very important to know who did these borrow pits miners get their licenses from?
“They get their licenses through the federal government and some times, not even the state government is aware.
“They deal with the community directly. So, it is very important for us as a ministry to let the people of the locality know the effects of the mining activities. It is actually going to affect their community land because you can see a lot of gullies, the gullies will eventually, if we don’t do certain things now.
“You are seeing a lot of erosion around the states. It is not just Edo but around Nigeria. One of the major reasons where we have this issue it is actually man made but with proper planning and organizations, we can see how we can control some of these issues.
“The effects of those borrow pits have caused us three times of the amount of which is going to cost now, Edo State has to bear that cost”, Uzamere added.
The Commissioner assured the people of the state that the present administration will not leave any project uncompleted and that perhaps if there is any undone, the next administration will continue from where they have stopped.
” I am optimistic that most of these roads will be completed before the end of this administration.
“The projects we are doing is not personal. It is for the people. I know the people that this road is affecting will also cry to the next government that they should continue with the project”, Uzamere added.