Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki on Tuesday lamented the condition of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okene road and the hardship it was subjecting Nigerians to even as he pointed out that delays in the passage of budget by the National Assembly was injurous to the economy of the nation.
Emphasizing that the situation must change if the nation must get the economy back on track, Obaseki said, “I can tell you that it is frustrating and unfair for a state like Edo to pass its budget in December and now has to wait for another six months for the implementation of the budget due to the delay in the passage of the national budget.
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Speaking when members of the Senate Committee on Works, led by the Chairman, Senator Clifford Ordia, visited Obaseki said, “When a budget is passed during the rainy season, you don’t expect the contractors to do much. So we must look at these issues and ensure that we pass our budgets on time. Delay is destroying our economy since everything will be at a standstill”.
On the Benin- Auchi-Okene-Abuja Road, Obaseki urged the federal government to “Earmark certain funds, dedicate resources for some key federal roads and keep the roads open. Our rails and waterways are not developed and such good road maintenance will enhance our economic growth”
Recalling that he once told the Federal Comptroller of Works not to return to Benin if the contractors were not mobilized to the failed section of the Benin-Lokoja highway at Ekpoma, Governor Obaseki declared that the failed portion of that road had affected the economy of the state.
Responding, Senator Ordia told Governor Obaseki that they were in the state to carry out on the spot assessment of the road so as to find solution to it.
Ordia who noted that the level of work on the road was slow due to paucity of funds however informed the governor that the contractor handling the Ekpoma axis of the Lokoja-Bénin highway has resumed work.
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