Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has assured motorists and residents of imminent relief as he inspected the ongoing Sapele Road Phase II project in Benin City.
During the on-the-spot assessment, the governor expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded on key sections of the road, particularly those handled by CBC Global.
“We have been able to drive through to the Edo-Delta boundary. A lot of work is ongoing, and on the section handled by CBC, they have done very well,” Okpebholo said.
He noted that work by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is still at an early stage, as the contract for that section was awarded only about two months ago. However, he said the contractor has assured that substantial progress will be made before the end of the year.
According to the governor, parts of the road will soon be opened to traffic to ease movement.
“The good news is that in the next few weeks, CBC will open a section of the road. This will allow free movement and make travel easier for commuters. We are working day and night to ensure our people do not suffer, especially during the rainy season,” he added.
Okpebholo attributed the pace of work to support from the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I am grateful to God for the opportunity to serve and to the President for providing the necessary funds for these projects,” he said.
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Projects Implementation and Monitoring, Engr. Williams-Bello Phoebe, explained that the inspection was aimed at identifying ways to accelerate construction while providing temporary relief for road users.
She disclosed that palliative measures would commence immediately to improve access along the corridor.
“Concrete work requires between 21 and 28 days to set, so some sections must remain closed.
However, from next week, stone base will be introduced in certain areas, and traffic will be diverted to ensure smoother movement while work continues,” she said.
Providing further updates, Engr. Liao of CBC Global said the company is handling a 23.3-kilometre stretch of the road, with about 9 kilometres completed within the township and 7.65 kilometres outside it. He expressed confidence that the section would be fully motorable by the end of May.
Similarly, Engr. Lee of CCECC said their portion of the project, divided into five sections, is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
The Sapele Road Phase II project is a key infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity between Edo and Delta states, boosting economic activities, and enhancing transportation for residents and commuters.