It was excitement and fanfare as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo, weekend, flagged off the construction of 6km Onewa-Uwessan Road in Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State.
The road, which connects Esan North-East and Esan Central local government areas in Edo Central, links six communities and is expected to open them up for economic activities upon completion.
Addressing the excited community members that trooped out to witness the historic event, Senator Okpebholo said the road is of significance to him as it was one of the major routes he used when he was much younger to hawk and make ends meet.
Okpebholo expressed despair at the neglect of the road by the previous governments, saying on completion, the road will open up the communities and make it easier for them to transport their farm produce to the market.
He also noted that opening up the road will curb the activities of kidnappers and other nefarious activities within the axis.
Assuring the community members of completion within record time, Okpebholo said, “We want to assure you that this road will be completed within four months. Before the rains start in earnest, and before the elections, we would have completed this road.”
He noted, “With this road constructed, kidnapping on the route will drastically reduce. Our people will be able to harvest their products and take them to the market to sell and make a profit for themselves. No more wastage.”
Appreciating the incumbent Edo Central Senator and now APC governorship candidate for the September 21 election in the State for his thoughtfulness and remembering the community, an elder of one of the communities, Mr Solomon Okunbor, said the road before now was impassable which made it almost impossible to relate with people from neighboring communities.
Mr Okunbor said, “I want to thank you so much for coming to our aid. When he came and said he will tar our road, we didn’t take him serious because we have been hearing similar promises since 1999 with nothing to show for it. But now, we can see that truly to his word, work has commenced just as he said. Thank you so much. We have never had it this good.”
Speaking also, another member of the affected communities, Mr. Benson Idiagbonya, said the community will be ever grateful to Senator Monday Okphebholo for bring government’s presence to their community for the first time since the return of democracy in 1999. He urged the APC governorship candidate to ensure that the road is completed just as he has promised.
The Onewa-Uwessan road which connects Esan North and Esan Central local government areas of Edo Central is a strategic route that links five communities including Idumoza Community, Udomi Community, Ibhiolulu Community, Ujabhole Community, Audra Community and Unogbo Community.
