Obaseki Street: Edo Women Praise Okpebholo Over Intervention In Gully Erosion

Tears of relief replaced years of fear and frustration on Obaseki Street, Ikpoba Hill axis of Benin City, as an 80-year-old woman and other residents praised Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for intervening in a gully erosion that had devastated the area for over two decades.

Mrs Mercy Omoruyi, who has lived on the street for several decades, said the governor’s swift intervention ended years of abandonment by successive administrations.

“We have suffered this gully erosion for more than 20 years,” she said. “Governments came and went, but nobody helped us. Governor Okpebholo came here and in less than two months, work started. This intervention has saved our lives and our property,” she said.

She recalled how the erosion turned parts of the community into refuse dumps, exposing residents to serious health challenges and forcing many families to flee their homes.

“This place was a dumping ground. We were always sick and afraid, especially when it rained. Today, those problems are becoming a thing of the past. I pray God gives the governor strength to complete this project,” she added.

The renewed hope followed the ongoing construction of an underground drainage system by the Okpebholo-led administration to address flooding and erosion in the area.

Another resident, Mr Kelvin Malagu, who has lived in the neighbourhood since 1994, described the project as the first tangible government action in decades.

“Many administrations made promises, but this is the first time we are seeing real work,” he said. “Landlords who abandoned their houses because of the gully are now returning. That tells you the impact of this project.”

Similarly, Mr Tayo Omodogbe, said residents lived in constant fear for over 26 years, particularly during the rainy season.

“Whenever it rained, we feared our houses would be swept away. Many people relocated, but today we feel safe again. We are happy with the pace of work and grateful to Governor Okpebholo,” he said.

Governor Okpebholo, during a recent visit to the site, explained that the underground drainage system was designed to channel floodwaters from Obaseki Street and adjoining areas into Ikpoba River.

He said the project would also ease persistent flooding along the Benin–Auchi Road near the Court of Appeal and the Edo State INEC headquarters.

The site engineer, Mr Israel Ebhodaghe, said the erosion was caused by blocked and inadequate drainage infrastructure.

“The old underground drain was blocked, which was responsible for the erosion,” he explained. “We are constructing a new drainage system with supporting line drains to channel water safely into Ikpoba River. The drain spans about two kilometres and will protect all houses within the catchment,” he said.