… As Gov targets statewide road upgrade as Works Commissioner inspects projects in Edo

ABUJA — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has met with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), to advance plans for the proposed Edo Air initiative aimed at boosting air connectivity and economic activity in the state.

The meeting, held on Thursday in Abuja, focused on strengthening Edo State’s aviation ecosystem, improving passenger movement and positioning the state as a regional hub for business, logistics and tourism.

Governor Okpebholo said the engagement formed part of his administration’s broader economic development strategy, noting that improved air transport was critical to growth and investment attraction.

According to him, the proposed state-backed airline would stimulate economic activities, enhance tourism and provide more reliable transportation for residents and investors.
“My administration is fully committed to positioning Edo as a destination for development and investment. Edo Air will significantly boost economic activities and make transportation easier and more reliable,” the governor said.

In his response, Keyamo welcomed the initiative and recalled Benin City’s historic role in Nigeria’s aviation sector during the era of the defunct Okada Air. He said the project aligned with the Federal Government’s vision of strengthening regional connectivity and driving economic growth through aviation.

The minister assured the Edo State Government of the Federal Ministry’s support, adding that a functional state-backed airline would enhance passenger movement, boost trade, attract investment and create jobs, particularly for young Nigerians.

Governor Okpebholo expressed appreciation for the Federal Government’s backing, describing it as critical to the success of the project.

The meeting underscored ongoing collaboration between the Edo State Government and the Federal Government in promoting infrastructure development, economic transformation and national connectivity.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading road infrastructure across the state, as the Ministry of Works stepped up monitoring of ongoing projects to ensure quality delivery and timely completion.

The Commissioner for Works, Hon. Felix Akhabue, stated this on Thursday during an inspection tour of several road and drainage projects in parts of Edo South Senatorial District, including Ovia North-East, Oredo and Ikpoba Okha Local Government Areas.

Akhabue said the inspection, conducted alongside engineers from the ministry, was aimed at ensuring contractors comply strictly with approved specifications in line with the infrastructure development priorities of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.

Among the projects visited was the 9.5-kilometre Benin Technical School roads cluster, as well as a major underground drainage system designed to convey storm water directly into the Ikpoba River.

The 1.2-kilometre drainage channel, he noted, has reached an advanced stage, with extensive earthworks ongoing and contractors fully mobilised on site.

The commissioner also inspected the 7-kilometre Oluku–Okhumwn–Siluko Road, a strategic arterial route expected to ease traffic along the Oluku, Siluko and Ekenwan Road axis of Benin City.

He disclosed that about 1.2 kilometres of the road have already been asphalted, while earthworks have been completed in an additional 4.5 kilometres.

Akhabue said that work had been intensified on the remaining section to maximise the dry season and accelerate completion.

Other projects inspected included Upper Ekenhuan Road, where concrete pavement works are ongoing; the Asoro Hill; Siluko Road; and Catholic Charismatic Renewal Church Road in Ugbighoko; and a cluster of roads in Utte, along Upper Mission Extension, where large-scale earthworks are in progress.

The inspection tour also took the commissioner and his team to the flyover bridges under construction at Sapele Road and Ramat Park, Ikpoba Hill, both in Benin City. Akhabue expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and adherence to approved specifications at the sites.

He expressed confidence that all ongoing projects would be completed as scheduled, attributing the steady progress to the prompt release of funds to contractors by the state government.

Akhabue further disclosed that the State Executive Council had approved the construction of additional roads at its meeting on Wednesday, assuring that road development would continue across the state to ensure balanced and inclusive infrastructure growth.