President Bola Ahmed Tinubu flagged off the 125km Benin-Asaba Highway on Sunday. The highway is expected to be completed within 30 months. President Tinubu was represented at the flag-off by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
At the flag-off, minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi commended the visionary leadership of Governor Okpebholo who he said has turned the State into a construction site in less than 150 days in office.
The minister used the opportunity to thank President Tinubu for his love for the people of Edo State, saying as a Minister, he has visited the State about three times for action projects.
He also commended Governor Okpebholo who he said has demonstrated love and commitment for his people by embarking on people-oriented projects like the flyover at Ramat Park in Benin City, the state capital.
“In less than 150 days in office, you have turned the entire capital city into a construction site. I commend you very highly for this foresight.
“I am an infrastructure person and when I see good infrastructure going on like the ones going on in Edo State, I feel very happy and commend you for the hard work.
“We need good infrastructure in this country. Infrastructure is the most important foundation upon which every other programme of the State or country thrives.
“Thank you so much for what you are doing for Edo people. I saw the flyover you are constructing for your people. It is great wisdom. You are not saying this should be done by the Federal Government because we don’t have federal people here in Edo State but you are doing this for the welfare of Edo people.
“The government of Senator Monday Okpebholo is a government of divine inspiration and a government ordained by God. When I see people taking you to court, I say it is because they don’t hear from God because if they do they will know that you are a divine governor.
“Under you, miracles are happening and under you, the road tagged federal roads are now fixed.
“The Federal Ministry of Works has come to Edo State for the third time in less than 100 days not by choice as Mr President directed all these visits. We thank the president for his love.
“This construction is like a cashless programme. We will not see the money but the work will keep going on. We will not be begging for money or quarreling over money issues but checking the projects and there will be results. The credit will always go to Mr president.
“This project is 125 Kilometres by 2, that is 250 kilometres. It will have solar lights and the Federal Government is not putting in any money. Private Public Partnership is the way to go,” said Engr Umahi.
The Minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy Wale Edun thanked the president for his foresight in ensuring that the people of Nigeria enjoy good roads across the country. He assured the people that the finances for the project are available, and as such, the projects from start to finish are sure.
Governor Okpebholo who represented President Tinubu at the occasion, said the road is a legacy project and Edo State is now becoming like Lagos regarding infrastructural development.
He thanked the president for the love shown to Edo State during his tenure as governor, saying the people are now benefiting from the dividends of democracy.
He said, “The President loves Edo State so much that whenever he sees me, he always asks me about the welfare of Edo people and also that of the Oba of Benin.
“The good things happening in Lagos are now also happening here in Edo State and we have made progress under my watch as governor.”
He assured President Tinubu that Edo people will take his re-election in 2027 as a big deal.
“What Mr President did in Rivers State is a welcome development to ensure peace in the region. The decision he took is for the best interest of the economy of this nation as the State needed to be protected. The President was proactive and his decision has saved the economy of the nation,” he added.
Okpebholo thanked the president for his vision for the nation, saying the people are enjoying the dividends of democracy following the good initiatives his administration have embarked on.
The governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, thanked the president for what he is doing for the people of Edo and Delta States and appealed to him to extend the road to the Onitsha bridge.
Oborevwori represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme said the road is a critical infrastructure that connects the Eastern and Western regions of Nigeria.
He noted that the road would improve the people‘s standard of living and urged everyone to work together to ensure its successful completion.
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