Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has restated his commitment to completing 3000km of roads within his first four years in office, adding that more youths would be trained in road design and construction using concrete technology.
He stated this as he commissioned the newly reconstructed 500m Nevis Street, which links four major roads in Benin City.
The newly reconstructed Nevis Street is the first road to be reconstructed in the state, using concrete technology to facilitate durability.
Governor Obaseki stated that with the success recorded in the use of concrete technology, he would, in the next few weeks, award contracts for the construction and reconstruction of 45 roads across the state, explaining that he would construct the roads with raw materials sourced from the state.
The Governor noted that the state did not need to depend on foreign exchange for road construction as all materials and human capital could be found locally, while he also urged the youths in the state to register in the Edo Jobs Initiative to be gainfully employed.
He said, “I have come to change the face of politics in Nigeria. The construction of this Nevis Street within seven weeks showed that this government can make promises and fulfill them. This is a revolution in our road construction. We will design our roads, and we will train our youths on roads design and construction without waiting for foreign exchange. We have all the raw materials here.”
For his part, Mr. Ashif Juma, the Managing Director of AG-Dangote, the company contracted to refurbish the road with concrete, said the road was constructed in compliance with Governor Obaseki’s directive that the materials must be sourced locally
He continued that his company had proved that concrete roads could be built within a short period, and that it was durable and cheap.
“Concrete has always made most sense in the long run. No other paving materials matches concrete’s strength and durability in standing up to heavy usage and truck traffic. Concrete lasts longer without the need for resurfacing, patching or surface sealing. Concrete delivers structurally, financially and environmentally, he said”.
