Residents of Upper-Ekheuan, Uvgbugyoko,Oghede Agenigie, Ekheuan Barracks, Udo, Evbuotubu, Ugbine communities, all along Ekheuan Road axis of Benin on Monday staged a protest on the dilapidated condition of the road which is under re-construction.
The road has been under re-construction for over four years and work on the re-construction has been on a very slow pace.
The protest led to disruption of vehicular movement for hours on the busy Ekheuan Road.
The protesters who came out in their hundreds also complained that the few metres that have been reconstructed were already failing, just as they alleged that the work was substandard.
Speaking to newsmen, a landlord in the area who identified himself as Uche Nwabuzor said: “Why we are protesting is because of the bad road. They said the road was awarded to a construction company but I don’t really know because all these time, they will come and dig the road, and they are busy selling the sand, the old asphalt and the rods which they are excavating and right now, no road for us to pass again.
“In the evening, once it is 6pm, from Ring Road to Uvgbugyokho is N1000. Some of us that have cars, we go to the mechanic’s workshop everyday.
“We went to the site of the construction company, they told us that government has not reimbursed them, and that is why the work is like that. We don’t know who is saying the truth, so we decided to come out into the road to draw the attention of the governor so that the world will hear our cry as common men and maybe that will make them come to do the work, because this was not what the governor promised us.
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“When the governor came to campaign in Upper Ekheuan, he said immediately he resumes office the road will be fixed, but this work is up to four years now, and it is even worse now, so the suffering is too much. If nothing is done, we are coming back again to block the road. I am a landlord in the area.”
Another protester who identified himself as Osayi but refused to give his surname said: “I am a civil servant, but I stay in this area. I have stopped driving my car home because I visit the mechanic everyday. I park in a friend’s compound by Erediauwa and then take public transport to the place and then drive my car to the office, when I close for work, I drop it in my friend’s place and take public transport home.
“What is even more embarrassing is that the few metres they have tarred, the asphalted areas are already giving way. Go and look at Agho Junction, Ozigbo Junction, before the UNIBEN gate on both sides. If you are coming from Ring Road, there are already pot holes. We are disappointed in what is happening.”
Metro5 days ago
Metro4 days ago
