Davison Ogbebor

BENIN CITY — The Edo State Government has announced plans for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Ring Road, popularly known as Oba Ovonramwen Square, in Benin City, as the state prepares for activities marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II.

The planned rehabilitation has attracted renewed public attention following concerns over the deteriorating condition of the city centre and expectations surrounding the anticipated visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Edo State. Reports indicate that the First Lady is expected in the state on October 15, 2026, for the inauguration of 50 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. However, the available reports do not establish that her visit is specifically connected to the Ring Road rehabilitation.

A report published by Vanguard on September 15, 2026, described the condition of Oba Ovonramwen Square as requiring urgent government attention ahead of the royal anniversary. The report highlighted potholes, deteriorating asphalt, overgrown gardens and indiscriminate commercial activities around the historic city centre, which is located less than 200 metres from the Oba’s Palace.

The Managing Director of the Edo State Road Maintenance Agency, Engr. Felix Ibhade, reportedly confirmed that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo was preparing for a comprehensive asphalt rehabilitation rather than temporary repairs. He attributed the delay in executing the work to persistent rainfall, explaining that previous road repairs in other locations had suffered damage from heavy rains. The agency said it would collaborate with the Ministry of Works to ensure a more durable outcome.

The Ring Road occupies a strategic position in Benin City, serving as a major transport junction and a landmark closely associated with the history and identity of the Benin Kingdom. Its condition has therefore become a matter of public concern as preparations continue for the anniversary of Oba Ewuare II, who will mark ten years on the throne on October 20, 2026.

Beyond road rehabilitation, attention has also turned to traffic management, environmental sanitation and the restoration of public spaces around the square. Edo State Commissioner for Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Chris Okaeben, has called on security agencies to address indiscriminate trading and passenger pick-up activities around the city centre. He warned that disorder around the historic square could affect the impression visitors form of Benin City during the celebrations.

The scale of the planned rehabilitation will be important to residents, motorists, traders and visitors who depend on the Ring Road for daily movement. A properly executed project could improve traffic flow, reduce vehicle damage caused by potholes and restore the appearance of an area that connects several major roads in the state capital. Equally important will be the maintenance of surrounding gardens, drainage facilities and other public amenities to prevent the square from deteriorating again after the celebrations.

The Edo State Government’s 2026 Citizens Budget provides for ₦24 billion for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads and bridges in Edo South, while allocating additional funds to other road and flood-control projects. However, the published budget entry does not specifically identify the Ring Road rehabilitation or establish the precise amount committed to it. Details of the project’s contract value, contractor, commencement date, completion deadline and funding arrangements would therefore be necessary to assess the financial and physical scope of the proposed work.

As Edo State prepares to welcome dignitaries and celebrate the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom, expectations are rising that the Ring Road will receive lasting attention rather than cosmetic improvements limited to the anniversary period. The central question is whether the promised rehabilitation will be completed to an acceptable standard and supported by sustained maintenance after the visitors have departed.

For residents of Benin City, the restoration of Oba Ovonramwen Square is about more than preparing a ceremonial route. It is about improving a major public space, preserving the dignity of a historic city and ensuring that government commitments translate into visible and lasting benefits for the people.