The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, has flagged off the construction of an important and strategic road connecting two local government areas – Esan North East and Esan Central.
The completion of this road is expected to address the incessant cases of kidnapping in the area and facilitate the transportation of goods to the market for farmers.
In his address, Senator Okpebholo spoke on the significance of the road, saying, “My history won’t be complete without the mention of this road; it’s the same road I used to travel to sell books to sustain myself and meet other needs.”
He explained that, “The road to be commissioned today will connect two different local government areas in Esan land, Esan Central and Esan North East. By the grace of God, I hope that the road will be completed within four months, considering the approaching rainy season.”
Senator Okpebholo said the road construction would contribute to curbing kidnapping activities in the area, as it is often used by criminals. Additionally, it will enable farmers to transport their products to the market, reducing wastage.
Community leaders present at the event expressed optimism that the road, a constituency project of Senator Monday Okpebholo, will not be abandoned. They spoke of its strategic importance, as it spans two local government areas and leads to the Udomi community, the senator’s hometown.
Dignitaries in attendance included Prince Joseph Ehiakkhamen, Hon. Sylvester Arebun, Mr. Paulicap Ehiagwina, Hon. Abraham Isiwele, Mr. Kingsley Ebhodaghe, Mr. Pius Aziba, Mr. Amos Arikhan, Mr. Victor Iyere, Mr. Joseph Ebosele, among others from Esan North East local government area. Also present were Professor Sunday Edeko, Chief Inogbe Henry, and Hon. Festus Ebea, among others.
Representatives from the Onewa community of Uromi expressed gratitude for the development, emphasizing that their community had long been neglected in terms of democratic dividends.
The ceremony also saw the presence of various community leaders, including Mr. Okoh Ighodalo, Mr. Christopher Akhigbe, Mr. Oiweh Emmanuel, and Mr. Oboh Stephen from Onewa Community, as well as representatives from Uromi Community and the Uwesan Youth Movement, led by their President, Hon. Sado Victor, and Secretary, Hon. Akoyamen Innocent. The local government chairman of Esan North East, Mr. Emmanuel Ibhagbemi, also attended the event.