Okpebholo Vows to Arrest Contractor for Abandoning Benin-Abraka Road

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to arrest the contractor handling a section of the Benin-Abraka Road over alleged abandonment of the project despite payment by the previous government.

The governor said the road, which links Edo and Delta States, was awarded to two contractors by the administration of Godwin Obaseki.

He spoke during his tour of Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas to mobilize members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, Okpebholo explained that while one contractor is on site and has achieved about 75 percent completion, the other has abandoned his portion, subjecting motorists to hardship.

“Following the agreement that was signed by Obaseki’s administration, that road construction project was paid for before I became governor. Despite the payment by the previous administration, the contractor still abandoned the road, allowing motorists to suffer untold hardship,” the governor said.

“That road was given to two contractors. One of them is working and is doing his job and has gotten up to 75 per cent completion, while the other, who is a friend to Obaseki, has abandoned his section and has become the problem causing hardship on the road.”

Okpebholo said he had refrained from speaking on the road project but could no longer keep quiet after complaints from residents.

“Those in the diaspora don’t know what is happening and for me as the governor, I never wanted to speak on the issue of this Benin-Abraka Road, but what I heard today has prompted me to speak on the issue. I am going to arrest that contractor,” he declared.

The governor visited Iguomo-Nisi in Uhunmwode LGA where he met with party faithful alongside APC leaders and top government officials to rally support for APC candidates in 2027.

Edo APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, thanked members for the large turnout and for supporting the party in the last local government elections, urging them to sustain their support for the administration.