By Ebuanekpe Joy
The Edo State Government has played host to World Bank delegates in a bid to boost transport infrastructure in the State. The team from the World Bank, led by Fatima Arroyo, who had earlier paid a visit to the Federal Ministry of Transport in Abuja, have come to Edo State, which is among the five states to be visited by the team for a preparatory mission towards urban Mobility in the State.
Receiving the team at the Government House, Benin City, on Wednesday 20th September, the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, Esq., welcomed the team to the State and appreciated the World Bank for their continuous collaboration and support in the State.
According to him, “The World Bank has always supported the State especially the Edo Best initiative in the education sector.”
He opined that there have been a lot of mobility issues in the city, which is prominent in most third-world countries, adding that in a bid to mitigate these issues, the State Government established the Edo State Transport Authority in 2018 and created a road map for the transport sector as well.
Speaking further, the Secretary to the State Government reiterated the fact that Benin City is a transit city that has its own challenges, which require a lot of expertise and financial support from World Bank.
The team, whose objectives is to support urban mobility in Nigeria, is on a two-day visit in order to carry out preliminary findings as well as identify the key challenges in the State’s transport sector. They thanked the State Government, after which they went to the Edo State Transport Authority’s office for further engagements.
The Managing Director of the Edo State Transport Authority (ESTA), Mrs. Edugie Agbonlahor, welcomed the team officially to the agency. In her welcome address, she appreciated the World Bank for their interest in the State’s transportation system, and hoped for positive collaboration and outcomes.
The Consultant and Technical Advisor to the Edo State Transport Authority (ESTA), Dr. Desmond Amiegbebhor, thereafter gave a presentation on the progress made so far in the State’s transport sector, and highlighted some critical areas that needed support, collaboration and expertise. Some of the areas he highlighted include the development of preparatory studies, such as bus route network studies, baseline environmental studies, bus type viability studies, and the development of transit infrastructure such as bus shelters, terminals, among others.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the Oredo Local Government Area, Dr Tom Obaseki, who was also present at the mission meeting, appreciated the team and commended the State Governor for creating a conducive environment for partnerships and investors. He further stated that “organized transportation is key to making the State a tourist destination with the Make Edo Great Again (MEGA) agenda of the State Governor.” He also appreciated the management of ESTA, while promising to always give his unrelenting support to the agency and the World Bank team.
Fatima Arroyo, the World Bank team lead, appreciated ESTA management for their warm reception and the comprehensive information provided to her team as regards the transport sector in the State, which have proved to be of great importance to the success of the project.
The team was later taken on a tour of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), where they were given a brief rundown on what the museum was all about and the various departments and research that had already been carried out in the facility, which will soon be completed.
The tour came to an end with a visit to the National Museum situated in the heart of Benin City. They were given a guided tour of the various artifacts in the Museum as well as a brief history of the Benin Kingdom.
Further engagements have been scheduled to take place in order to consolidate the World Bank’s interest in the State’s transport sector, and to garner their support in mitigating the challenges faced in the transport sector.
Other stakeholders at this engagement meeting include Deborah Enakhimion, Permanent Secretary, Office of the SSG; Mrs. Hauwa Dupe Ohikhuare, Managing Director, Edo State Transport Service (ECTS); Mrs. Fifi Omage-Dimowo, Corporate and Legal Secretary, ESTA; and some other directors of the agency.
Members of the World Bank team include Fatima Arroyo, Senior Transport Specialist, Washington, DC; Olatunji Ahmed, Senior Transport Specialist, Abuja; O’Neall Massamba; Ajay Kumar; Kevin Huaman; Rakesh Tripraehi and Christopher Haesler.
