The Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, has praised Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, for what he described as bold and people-focused infrastructural development that is already making a visible difference at the grassroots.
Speaking during an inspection tour of ongoing projects across Benin metropolis, the Minister said the governor’s commitment to infrastructure reflects a clear intention to transform lives and open up communities for economic growth. According to him, the projects on ground show that the Okpebholo administration is not just planning development but delivering it where it matters most.
Hon. Olawande, who joined the governor alongside the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and other top government officials, toured several key sites including Temboga Road, Uteh Palace Road, the Ikpoba Hill flyover, the gully erosion site at Obaseki Street, the Adesuwa Junction flyover on Sapele Road, and Etete Road.
He noted that despite criticisms and debates on social media, Governor Okpebholo remains focused on governance and service delivery. He added that even with attempts by some elements to undermine the administration, the governor has continued to put the interest of Edo people first.
The Minister described the administration as genuinely people-centered, stressing that the scale and spread of the projects demonstrate a clear effort to take development to the grassroots. He said the infrastructure drive is not only improving access and mobility but also creating jobs and empowering residents across the state.
Governor Okpebholo, in his response, thanked the Minister for visiting Edo State and for joining the inspection tour. He assured him that his administration remains committed to ensuring that Edo people continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy through practical and results-driven governance.
The governor explained that projects are deliberately spread across different parts of the state to ensure inclusive development, noting that residents are already acknowledging the impact of his administration. He pointed to the enthusiasm and support shown by communities during the tour as evidence that the people can see and feel the changes taking place.
He also linked the ongoing development to the support received from the federal government, saying Edo State has benefited significantly from the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to him, funds being deployed for infrastructure are a reflection of that support, and Edo people are appreciative of it.
Providing technical insight during the tour, the Special Adviser on Projects, Engr. Mrs. Phoebe Williams Bello, explained that Obaseki Street at Ikpoba Hill had previously become a refuse dump due to severe gully erosion. She said the situation had made the area almost inaccessible before the intervention of the Okpebholo administration.
She revealed that a detailed survey showed that underground drainage channels feeding into the area were inadequate to handle the volume of water, leading to the erosion. Following this discovery, the governor approved an addendum to the project to expand the underground drainage system from the flyover and extend it along the affected road.
According to her, work is already ongoing to channel water effectively to the Ikpoba River, which will serve as the final discharge point. She added that the road has been opened up, cleared, and temporarily graded to restore access for residents, with full asphalt paving and side drainages planned as the next phase.
She described the transformation as remarkable, noting that an area once cut off by erosion and waste is gradually being reclaimed, restoring hope and access to the community.
