Okpebholo tackles security through road project in Edo. Gully reclamation and road reconstruction end criminal hideouts in Iwogban-Ute.
Okpebholo tackles security through road project. Residents of the Iwogban-Ute axis of Benin City have applauded Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo for restoring safety to their community.
The intervention reclaimed a devastating gully and reconstructed the road. Previously, the area had become a haven for robbers and kidnappers.
Okpebholo Tackles Security Through Road Project
Speaking with newsmen on Friday, residents explained the problem. The deplorable state of the road, coupled with a deep and expanding gully, left parts of the community inaccessible.
These secluded spots created opportunities for criminals to operate. As a result, many people avoided moving around the area, especially in the early morning and late evening hours.
Mrs Esosa Odigie, who has lived in the area for over 10 years, described the change. According to her, the road was previously a “no-go area”. The gully had virtually cut the community into two. Residents had to improvise with a handmade bridge simply to cross.
Because of the poor access, criminals took advantage of the difficult terrain and deserted portions of the road. The situation became so bad that residents began moving out in droves. Some property owners sold their houses and relocated to other parts of the city.
Okpebholo tackles security through road project by reclaiming the gully and fixing the access problem. Residents can now move freely without the fear that previously characterised the area.
Residents Welcome Restored Safety
“Now, things have improved. No more robbery, no more fear of coming out early in the morning to hustle. People have started coming to rent here,” Mrs Odigie said. She expressed appreciation to the governor for the intervention.https://youtu.be/YswfIMGuwBU
Another resident, Mrs Bridget Ogbeide, recalled that people previously used pieces of wood to create makeshift bridges because the road had become impassable.
She said the gully was not only a major environmental threat but also contributed to insecurity. Its depth, poor access and surrounding spaces provided cover for criminal elements.
Okpebholo tackles security through road project with the construction of drainage infrastructure and the reconstruction of the road. These steps changed the security dynamics of the area. Residents, motorists and security personnel can now access previously isolated sections with greater ease.
Official Details of the Intervention
Speaking at the project site, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency, Hon. Mohammed Bawa Okoyomon, confirmed the earlier problems.
He said the area had previously been virtually inaccessible because of the gully and bad road. With the support of Governor Okpebholo, the intervention reclaimed the gully and restored access.
The area had previously become a den for criminals and kidnappers. Okoyomon disclosed that the road measures about 1.7 kilometres, while the drainage network covers approximately 5.5 kilometres.
The project was executed to address both the erosion challenge and the access problem. Therefore, the restoration of the corridor has helped improve security and reconnect residents to the wider community.
Okpebholo tackles security through road project as part of wider infrastructure works being implemented across Edo State. In the end, the Iwogban-Ute intervention shows how fixing roads and gullies can also restore safety and confidence for residents.
