By Richard Eweka
It’s barely three weeks Senator Monday Okpebholo assumed office as governor of Edo State, he is already walking his talk shutting mouths of his critics who says he is in office to feed goodfahthers but his few actions on road infrastructure have shut the mouth of his critics across the State.
All the developmental moves of the governor show he is ready for leadership and didn’t become a governor by mistake as he already hit the ground running to the surprise of everyone.
He is not the talking type. He was talked down during the electioneering period as his critics said he can’t talk to address Edo people. That his godfathers are his mouth piece as they need to hear from him what he will do for them but few weeks in power his actions is already speaking loudly and all can hear and see his developmental actions.
A man with workable plans, vision and passion for Edo people, he kept quiet to plan his actions, he is already following his blueprint for road constriction set for the next four years as he is determined and committed to make Edo a construction site.
His actions in terms of developmental plan, especially road construction, are already speaking volumes for him, as people are already applauding his very few determined steps to turn around the narratives in terms of road infrastructure.
Talking about road infrastructure, the governor of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo is already following his plan to make Edo motorable embarking on massive road construction across the Edo State to fulfill his electionto the people.
Resident, motorist, market men and women, road users around Upper Mission road extension by Aduwawa junction, those plying Obadan Junction Benin- Auchi Express Way, Tamboga – Ekiuwa road, linking the University of Benin (UNIBEN) also motorist using the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi express way are all rejoicing that they have been remembered by the Okpebholo led administration.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has also, within a few weeks, as governor, also embarked on stormwater projects to fight the challenges of flood and erosion, troubling some area in the State.
He Inspected Ongoing Stormwater Projects at Ewah-Erhahon and Iwogban catchment projects to control the volume of water in that area pledging accelerated action in Completing it and ensure the people of Edo State experience practical governance not governance through MOU.
The Inauguration speech of governor Monday Okpebholo delivered at the main bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on the 12th of November 2024 shows that his administration has embraced a five points developmental agenda designed to grow a robust economy growth and improve the lives of Edo people.
Okpebholo listed these agenda to include security, infrastructure, and road development, affordable healthcare, water and food sufficiency, and valued driven education across the state.
The governor is already fufiling the promises made to Edo people, assuring them of a good and motorable road.
On the 13th of November 2024 just 24 hours in office as governor of Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo undertook a walk from Ikpoba slope to Ramat park with Contractors viewing the road and accessing the possibility of putting a flyover on that axis to decongest traffic experienced in Ikpoba-hill.
The governor from there visited the failed portion at Obadan Junction Benin- Auchi Express Way, Upper Mission road extension by Aduwawa junction and Temboga road to address the deplorable nature of these roads.
At Obadan Junction Benin- Auchi Express Way, he assured Edo people that his administration will embark on practical governance as it will key into the renewed hope agenda of Mr president Bola Tinubu to improve road infrastructure in the State.
At upper Mission road extension by Aduwawa junction, Governor Okpebholo inspect the failed portion of that axis of the road causing traffic gridlock in the area promising to mobilize contractors to site to fix that road and improved businesses.
Moving from their with his entourage same day 13th of November, the governor went straight to Temboga to flagg off a 7.2KM Temboga and Oba-Erediauwa road with stormwater channelization spur through Ekiuwa Road to link Ugbowo opening the area for economic growth and development.
After touring these sessions of the road in Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo immediately ordered contractors in the State to return to sites and immediately fix failed portions within the Benin metropolis
Decrying the bad State of the roads, the Governor assured the people that work will commence immediately, as he is in a hurry to bring the dividends of democracy to the people. He stressed that Edo people deserve good and motorable roads.
Five days later 18th of November 2024, governor Monday Okpebholo went back to inspect these road projects to see for himself if contractors are in site and have truly started construction as his administration is in a hurry to bring the dividends of democracy to Edo people.
The governor said “the failed portion at Upper mission extension road was terrible and I came to look at the rate of damage as vehicles find it difficult to pass the road, businesses and people around this area are suffering. My administration is determined to solve the problem and put smiles on the faces of the people. ”
Describing the Obadan road as very important and strategic to the State, governor Okpebholo said when the road is fixed, it will boost commence and industry opening up the state for economy growth and development.
“This road is very important to us as the road leads to Agor, Onitsha, and Northern parts of the Country as the road is very strategic to us as a State. It’s located in Edo State and its important as it will boost the economy of the State. ”
On the 19th of November 2024, Governor Monday Okpebholo embarked on groundbreaking and flagg off to construct a flyover bridge at Ramat Park Benin City. However, the former governor Godwin Obaseki said Edo people don’t need a flyover.
The governor said upon completion of Ramat Park flyover, it will transform the economy and social fortune of the Capital City and indeed Edo State. He noted that apart from the Flyover at Ramat Park, his administration will construct two more at Dawson Road Junction and Sepele/Adesuwa Road junction all in Benin City.
Okpebholo said Ramat Park is a gate way to Benin City and other parts of the Country and the construction of the bridge will provide ease of life for motorist in Benin City and commuters along the two corridors, the Benin Auchi Express Way and Benin Asaba express way.
The workaholic governor was back again to these site on the 28th of November 2024 to inspect the level of work again and express satisfaction on the level of work assuring Edo people that the road will be motorable soon.
Governor Okpebholo also inspected the ongoing repairs at the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi express way to see the level of work done as the federal government, through the influence of the governor has embarked on fixing the road.
Obaseki in the last 8 years couldn’t attract the presence of Federal Government on that road but less than a month in office the Federal Government answered the call of governor Monday Okpebholo has it has commenced construction on that road to the joy and delight of Edo people who cheered the governor and members of his entourage while inspecting the road.
The people of Edo State will experience practical governance, good governance as he already have the mandate of his people and the governor is using it effectively to change the narrative of the people of the State and saved them from bad leadership experienced in the last 8 years