The Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde
Fashola (SAN) has been commended by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State for
the progress of work on the Benin-Ehor axis of the Benin-Ehor-Lokoja Roads.
This was during the minister’s recent inspection of ongoing
works at the Aduwawa axis of the road.
Mr. Fashola who was on an inspection tour of roads leading
into and out of the state noted that full reconstruction of the bad portions on
Ekpoma axis of the same road would be carried out to ensure durability of the
road.
“I have gotten recommendations about the failed portions of
the Ekpoma axis of the road. I have asked them to get money for the contractor
to do full reconstruction of the bad portions, instead of patching it up, which
will wear away soon. As soon as we get money, the contractor will come back to
site”, he said.
The Governor, represented by his deputy, Hon Philip Shaibu
commended the Minister for the works, saying that it would ensure good quality
and speed up the completion of the road project.
He however called for prompt action on the bad portions of
the road around the Auchi Junction at Jatto, Ekpoma axis and Ramat Park in
order to prevent a total collapse of the road while commending the ministry on
its housing programmes in the state.
Mr. Fashola (SAN) briefed the Governor about the ongoing
projects being executed by the ministry; he said that the major challenge
facing the power sector was shortage of gas to power gas turbines.
He however said that the power generation in the country
had stepped up to 4000mw for two weeks now and could be increased to 7000mw if
vandalism of gas pipelines was stopped.
“3000mw of power is not available because of vandalism of
gas pipelines, which is not helpful to the country. If we can recover the
3000mw lost to vandalism and add to the 4000mw, we will have 7000mw. We cannot
continue to destroy something and say it is unavailable to us, all of us most
begin to speak to each other and sensitise against vandalism”, he said.
In addition, the Federal Controller of Works, Engineer Okey
Oweh, speaking about the Benin-Ehor-Lokoja road said that the road contract was
awarded in 2012 and divided into three phases. He added that a 12km carriage way
had been constructed along the Auchi Axis of the road and that the
accident-prone section at Ewu -axis of the road had been improved upon.
It is expected that the contractor handling the road would
complete the Benin-Ehor axis of the road by May ending and work on the
Ewu-Agbor-Sapele road had started.
He also remarked that 445 staff drawn from within and
outside the state were currently working with the contractors on the Road
Project.
Meanwhile, the Controller of Housing in the state, Mr. Andrew
Ikechuchukwu said that the National Housing Programme for the ministry had
commenced in the state.
He disclosed that the state government had provided a land
around the Benin-Auchi road and that clearing of the land was on-going.
REPORT BY KINGSLEY UCHEGBU
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