… Says projects reflect prudent use of public funds
BENIN CITY — The Edo State House of Assembly has lauded Governor Monday Okpebholo for what lawmakers described as unprecedented infrastructure development and transparent use of public funds, following an extensive oversight inspection of major ongoing projects across the state.
The inspection, carried out between Monday and Wednesday, was led by the Speaker, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Atu Osamwonyi.
Other lawmakers on the monitoring team included, Hon. Addeh Isibor, Chairman, House Committee on Works; Hon. Yekini Idaiye and Hon. Ugabi Kingsley.
Commissioners and project engineers accompanied the lawmakers at various inspection points in Benin City and surrounding communities.
At the Sapele Road Flyover, Osamwonyi said the visit was aimed at verifying the progress of work and ensuring that funds appropriated by the Assembly were being judiciously utilised.
He described the project as the first of its kind in Edo State and commended the governor for pursuing infrastructural renewal with uncommon urgency.
“In my entire life in Edo State, this flyover project is the first of its kind. We are here physically, and work is ongoing,” he said.
He added that the inspection of the Ramat Park Flyover on Monday showed a similar level of quality and progress.
The Speaker, Hon. Agbebaku, who addressed journalists at the Ramat Park Flyover, said the project had reached about 60 percent completion and was on track for delivery by July 2026.
He said its completion would ease movement of goods and services around the busy market corridor, which often suffers severe congestion.
“Edo people are eager to see its completion so that they can start using it. We can all see the dividends of every naira appropriated and approved,” he said, adding that the Assembly would continue to support the administration, while ensuring strict adherence to timelines and specifications.
The lawmakers also inspected the 14-kilometre Ogheghe–Old Sapele Road–Ekae Road project, where Osamwonyi expressed astonishment at the scale of work achieved within a short period.
He recalled that several communities in the area previously suffered from severe road degradation that made access impossible even for motorcycles.
“Today, we are standing here with joy. The governor has brought democracy to Edo in a way the people can feel,” he said.
They further visited the 5.86-kilometre road linking Amagba and Obagie-N’Ebvuosa, where engineers reported that 4.3 kilometres of drainage had been completed.
Legislators said the rapid execution of multiple projects underscored the governor’s commitment to delivering tangible development despite limited financial resources.
Across all locations, engineers disclosed that although many of the projects were originally assigned longer timelines, some up to two years, the current pace indicated completion ahead of schedule.
“That tells you that Governor Okpebholo is not eating Edo people’s money,” Osamwonyi remarked.
Commissioner for Works, Engr. Felix Akhabue, who accompanied the oversight team, said the governor had directed strict monitoring of contractors to ensure full compliance with project designs.
He noted that the Assembly’s involvement strengthened accountability and kept both contractors and supervising ministries on their toes.
He added that the Adesuwa Junction and Sapele Road flyovers were being followed “bumper to bumper” and expressed confidence in their early delivery.
In a related inspection, the Assembly’s ad-hoc committee visited the newly renovated Army Day Secondary School, Ikpoba Hill, which now features a solar-powered state-of-the-art science laboratory, a new perimeter fence and a standard football pitch under construction.
Agbebaku recalled that members of the House visited the school three years ago, but could not gain access due to its dilapidated state.
He said the current transformation reflected the governor’s heavy investment in education and youth development.
“As you can see, Army Day Secondary School is now wearing a new look. This is a massive investment in the future of our children,” he said, urging the government to provide adequate security to safeguard the facilities.
He called for similar interventions in other schools across the state.
The school principal, Mr. Osemwenkhae Ezeilekhae, commended Governor Okpebholo for the intervention, describing the laboratory upgrade and improved facilities as transformative.
He said the learning experience had significantly improved and urged authorities to protect the school from vandalism.
Lawmakers concluded their inspection by reaffirming their support for the governor’s development agenda.
They vowed to resist any attempt to undermine his momentum and pledged to continue providing legislative backing for projects that directly impact citizens.
“We do not play politics with accountability,” Osamwonyi said.
“If the governor was not doing well, we would say so. But today, we have seen the evidence.”
