EBEN ENASCO

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, came into the office with a loud promise.

First to make Edo SHINE again.

SHINE, with Governor Monday Okpebholo means, Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Education.

But in the heart of Benin City, the state capital, two critical roads are telling a different story.

A story of craters, traffic gridlock, and daily agony for motorists.

Today, when you take a closer look at the deplorable state of Ring Road and Ibiwe, it is clear that it is rubbing off on the Governor’s SHINE mantra.

Ibiwe community is one of the biggest hubs for internally generated revenue, yet the most difficult route to navigate from the Oba Ovonramwen’s Square outside the state particularly heading to Lagos State.

The Ring Road, Benin City, by statistics is seen by many as the most popular roundabout in the South-South. By design, it is supposed to be the pride of the ancient city and the State by miles.

But today, driving here is a nightmare.

From the Sapele Road axis to the Ibiwe and Lagos Street intersections, the road is pockmarked with deep potholes. Some have become craters, filled with muddy, black water.

Ibiwe, a major commercial artery that hosts one of Benin’s biggest markets, is not any better.

The road has failed. Traders and drivers now share one tiny passable lane.

FRUSTRATED DRIVER who spoke on anonymous conditions said;
“Oga, this Ring Road don spoil”.

Everyday we dey repair the motor. Our tyre, our shock absorber… everything done spoil. The government needs to help us.”

Similarly, a Trader In Ibiwe
“Customers no dey come again because of this bad road. If rain falls, everywhere na water. We dey beg Governor Okpebholo say make he remember us.”

For motorists, it means more fuel, more time in traffic, and more money to the mechanic.

For traders in Ibiwe, it means low sales. For pedestrians, it is a daily battle to avoid being splashed with dirty water by speeding vehicles.

The irony is not lost on residents.

How can the heart of the capital be in such a state, when the administration’s loudest mantra is SHINE, with the “I” standing for Infrastructure?

Some residents say while the Governor’s intention to SHINE Edo is commendable, charity must begin at home… and home is Ring Road.

Let us not despair what the Governor is doing in other parts of the state which is good, but Ring Road is the face of Benin. If the face is ugly, the SHINE agenda will look like a mirage.

Fixing Ring Road and Ibiwe will give people immediate confidence that SHINE is real.”

The people of Ibiwe and commuters who use Ring Road daily are not asking for a flyover, like Adesuwa and Ramart Pack residents.

They are simply asking for a smooth, motorable road. A road that will not destroy their vehicles, a road that will let commerce thrive.

Until that is done, the potholes on these two strategic roads will continue to be a dent on an otherwise shining mantra.