…As President Also Okays Edo State Gov’t Intervention on Benin-Sapele-Warri Highways
…Works Min. Umahi Commends Gov. OKpebholo’s Commitment To Infrastructure In State, CBC
In view of the roadmap and inclusive revolution to further develop movements across the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has given approval to the Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, to unveiled a 100-km stretch of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway which will pass through Edo State which was originally not in the alignment for the coastal highway project.
The Honourable Minister announced this approval of Mr. President in a press release by Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser ( Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works, during the state Independence Galanite held at State Villa, Benin City, on 1st October 2025.
The minister said the coastal road was first dreamt by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 47 years back. He contacted governors, who were in office with him, but unfortunately, the project could not take off.
“But then, the route was made known, but unfortunately, the route did not pass through Edo State, very sad!
“And when you hear 700 kilometres, and today you hear 750 kilometres, you ask yourself where is the difference coming from, the difference is coming from here because a miracle Governor appeared on the state,” he said.
On a personal note, he said the president noted that the project must pass from Lagos to Ogun, Ondo,Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and to Cross River, the reason it is on.
He continued, “Your Excellency, the President has given you 100 kilometres by 2 of the coastal highway.”
Furthermore, the works Minister commended the government and people of Edo State for their tremendous support to Mr. President and their steadfastness to the values of his Renewed Hope agenda and also assured them of the commitment of President Tinubu to quality and timely delivery of inherited ongoing projects in the state despite frightening infrastructural and funding defits inherited from previous administrations.
He again, commended the governor for accepting to intervene on some critical sections of Benin-Sapele-Warri road, which had been a deathtrap to motorists.
Umahi noted, “I want to thank you very very highly, Your Excellency, for this intervention, and I want to thank CBC for a very good quality work we have seen, but, re-mobilize to this place, and the controller must be giving me photographs of work done everyday and we have to do more work at night.”
On his part, Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Sen. Monday Okpebholo, thanked the President of Nigeria for including his State in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project and for all the improvements on the federal roads in the State since his administration came on board.
He noted the gesture as a manifestation of the extraordinary love of the President to the people of Edo State. He tasked his people on the need to champion the cause of Mr. President’s re-election come 2027.
Okepholo then thanked the minister for the new innovation to road construction, which he said would guarantee quality and value for money, equally commending him for his commitment and for always responding any time his attention is called to the infrastructural needs of Edo State.
He reiterated the desire of his administration to change the narrative in infrastructural development in the State.
“Few days ago, I came to this axis on my way back, and what I saw almost made me weap. Knowing the number of vehicles that were on this road, trailers that fell, and I felt it shouldn’t be so. The President is trying, and whoever is criticizing the President doesn’t know what they’re doing. However, criticism is also good because it serves as a wake-up call for all of us.* He further said.
“I invited you because of this road; it’s terribly bad. If I do my part and you do your part, no one will criticize our President. That’s the main reason I called you here. Our people are crying out for this road to be fixed. For us to earn more votes, we need to do something about this place, whether it’s the Federal Government or Edo State. The Benin people use this road the most, and they can’t come out and go to work or come back from work without struggling. That’s why we need to fix this road so that it will be motorable. This is the essence of inviting you here,” the governor added.
End.
