Benin Residents Groan Over Bad Roads As Okpebholo Plans GRA Reclamation

The condition of some roads has worsened following the persistent rainfall in the state, with deep potholes, erosion and flooding making several routes difficult, and in some cases, almost impossible to navigate.

Among the affected areas are Upper Adesuwa, Ihama Road, Golf Road, Ugbor Road, Amagba Road, Aiguobasinmwin Road, Commercial Avenue and Etete, where motorists and residents have raised concerns over the deteriorating infrastructure.

Some residents attributed the worsening condition of the roads to inadequate drainage infrastructure, particularly on roads constructed or rehabilitated by previous administrations.

They argued that the absence of effective drainage channels had made several roads vulnerable to flooding and erosion, thereby shortening their lifespan.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP on Monday, a commercial driver, Osaze Monday, said the poor state of the roads had negatively affected his business, adding that the frequent breakdown of his vehicle had increased his operating costs.

He said motorists are forced to visit mechanic workshops regularly because of the damage caused by potholes and other road defects.

He appealed to the state government to expedite action on the rehabilitation of inner-city roads, warning that the deteriorating infrastructure was affecting the appearance and functionality of Benin City.

He said, “Government needs to act quickly on these roads. We are spending money almost every day repairing our vehicles because of the bad roads.”

However, a resident of Upper Adesuwa, Mr Okon Emmanuel, said the current situation should not be blamed entirely on the present administration, noting that successive governments had also faced public complaints over the poor state of infrastructure in the state capital.

Emmanuel appealed to residents to exercise patience, stressing that addressing the infrastructure deficit required sustained planning, funding and continuity from one administration to another.

He said successive governments must build on existing interventions to achieve lasting improvements in the state’s road network.

Meanwhile, the state government has disclosed that it is preparing an extensive intervention aimed at addressing the underlying flooding and erosion challenges affecting the GRA axis, rather than undertaking isolated remedial repairs.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, explained that the government was studying the drainage pattern in the area before commencing major road works.

According to him, preliminary feasibility studies showed that simply repairing the roads without addressing the floodwater management problem would not provide a lasting solution.

Afegbua said the government was planning an elaborate reclamation project that would involve providing a channel for floodwater to flow into the Ogba River.

He said, “GRA flooding will have to wait. Feasibility study at the GRA shows there is no place to collect flood water. We want to do an elaborate reclamation work and empty the water into Ogba River.”

The commissioner stressed that the proposed intervention was designed as a holistic solution to the interconnected problems of flooding, erosion, drainage and road deterioration in the GRA.

He also appealed to property owners in the area to meet their tax obligations, noting that improved internally generated revenue would strengthen the government’s capacity to provide infrastructure and other public services.

“They don’t pay Property Tax and want good roads. If government does not get increased revenues that will boost its financial profile, it cannot provide the needed services.

“Tax is not paid at the convenience of anyone. There is no magic in governance. The beauty of any government is to get more people into the tax bracket,” he said.

Afegbua further warned that road rehabilitation without proper drainage would amount to a temporary solution, as floodwater would continue to undermine the roads.

“It is a holistic work to be done at the GRA. Without proper drainage, rain water will wash GRA roads away,” he added.

The development comes weeks after youths in the Ikpoba Hill area, under the aegis of the Ikpoba Hill Youth Forum, staged a peaceful protest over the deteriorating condition of roads in the area.

The youths had called the attention of the government to the hardship being experienced by residents and commuters, while also creating temporary access routes to ease movement into and out of the city centre.