The emergency reconstruction of the Irrua-Ewu-Agbede Road in Uhunwonde/Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, being undertaken by the Niger Delta Development Commission, is nearing completion.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, made this known while inspecting the road along with the Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai.
The development was made known in a statement by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the road, noting that the Ewu-Agbede section of the road was now motorable while the remaining 1.7-kilometre Irrua section of the road is under construction with 300 metres of asphalting already completed.
“We have successfully intervened in the Ewu-Agbede section of the road, which is now motorable. The remaining 1.7-kilometre Irrua section of the road is ongoing, and 300 metres of asphalting work has already been completed. The progress is impressive,” he said.
Ogbuku highlighted the strategic importance of the road, pointing out that it serves as a crucial link between the North and South, and plays a vital role in boosting the region’s economic growth.
He emphasized that the project will alleviate transportation challenges for people, goods, and services. Ogbuku said: “This part of the busy Benin-Auchi road has not been motorable for a while; hence, we decided to take up this challenge.
Previously, parts of this road were so deep that trailers could sink, but so much progress has been made in this project, especially in sand-filling, stone-base, earthwork and asphalting.
“The benefit of this project cannot be overemphasized because it is a link road to almost every part from the north to the south, where trucks and heavy vehicles transport agricultural and economic items to the south. If such a road is cut off, it will affect perishable food items and increase foodstuff prices.
The NDDC Managing Director underscored the broader economic benefits of the project, noting that it serves as a key route for trucks and heavy vehicles transporting agricultural and economic goods.
He stressed that cutting off such a road would disrupt the supply of perishable food items and lead to an increase in food prices.
“The importance of this road cannot be overstated. It connects almost every region from the north to the south, facilitating the movement of essential goods. If this route is blocked, it would significantly impact the economy, particularly the transportation of perishable goods,” he added.
Ogbuku also pointed out that upon completion, the Irrua-Agbede project would connect with the Benin-Irrua road project, which is being executed by the Federal Ministry of Works.