News

Ekewan Road, Other Ongoing Projects To Be Completed This Year, Says Edo Govt

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2024

Editor

Underground drainage system being constructed at 19 Street. This channels the erosion to the catchpit then to the Benin Water Storms.

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The Edo State Government has said that all ongoing projects in the state would be completed before the exit of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in the state.

The state Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, Engineer Ethan Uzamere, gave the assurance in Benin on Wednesday during a media tour to sites of ongoing road projects in the metropolis.

Ongoing road projects visited by the commissioner include: 16.1km Ekewan Road project; 1.15km Agbonkina Street linking Upper Ekewan Road to Evbuotubu Road near Slope area; 1.75km Old Siluko Road linking Owa to Useh; 2.5km Mechanic Road and
19 Street and its adjoining streets in Ugbuwo axis where an underground drainage channeling the erosion in the area to the Benin Water Storms is ongoing.

The commissioner (right) discussing with Engineers at Ekewan Road construction site.

Other road project sites visited by the commissioner are: ongoing Teboga Road which links Upper Mission to Ikpoba Slope; ongoing construction work at Uwelu Road; Adesuwa in New Benin; Osamudiamen Street; Osazuwa Street; Okundia Road; Omo-ojide Street in GRA and Omomo Street at Stadium Road all in Benin.

The commissioner who expressed satisfaction at work done so far at the different sites, said the works are up to specification and design, adding that all will be completed October this year

The commissioner, while at Ekewan Road construction site, said the construction which started at the Siluko Road Junction near Ring Road axis, would terminate at Army Barracks, adding that after that, phase 2 of the construction will take the road to Gelegele.

Construction of drainage at Agbonkina Street linking Upper Ekewan to Evbuotubu Road during the commissioner’s inspection.

He said: “The Ekewan Road construction which starts at Mobil by Siluko Road Junction, would be taken to Army Barracks, and it will be completed by October. We are going to take the Road to Gelegele but the first phase which is ongoing will terminate at Ekewan Arny Barracks.

“For now, we will do some palliative work to Gelegele because we have another project which is close to Gelegele. The palliative work is going to be thorough. After the palliative work, the road will be motorable.”

At the construction site at 19 Street, Engr. Uzamere, while describing the road as strategic, said a thorough erosion control work has started to make sure the erosion-ravaged road and its adjoining streets are free from erosion so that people living in the area can easily move even in rainy season.

“The 19 Street project is a very strategic project. There have been a lot of design changes even to adjoining streets, this is just to ensure at the end we have a good job done on the road and adjoining streets. What we can guarantee on this erosion-ravaged area is that during the rainy season it will be very passable after the road is completed.

“We can all see the massive work going on here… As you can see we have done a lot of underground drainage just to control the erosion. I think it is a very big milestone,” he added.

The commissioner said as the dry season is still on, the state government has mobilised all contractors back to sites so that the projects are completed before the rainy season comes in.

Also speaking at the Ekewan Road construction site, Engr. Patrick Ehizojio, Consultant to the state Ministry for Roads and Bridges, said one of the factors that have been hindering work at the Ekewan Road is the rain, assuring that as the rain has gone the road will be completed soon.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.