Jonathan commissions Phase I Benin-Ore Road

By Gabriel Enogholase

BENIN—President Goodluck Jonathan, weekend in Benin, Edo State, commissioned the Phase I of the Benin-Ofusu-Ore Road, with a promise to ensure that the next phase to Lagos was completed soon.

“We have intervened in a number of highways and we must fix the roads. We are committed. We must return our roads to class A roads across the country,” he said.

He promised that his administration was also focussing on rail and aviation, adding that the Federal Government decided to set up a Maritime University to train Nigerians in that sector.

On his part, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, described the Federal Government’s effort in reconstructing the road as “the most outstanding intervention the road has witnessed over the years.

“What we are seeing is the outcome of a meticulous design and the appointment of a competent contractor,” Oshiomhole said, describing the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, as an architect that not only designs but one that translates his designs into reality.

He said that the road was central to the economic life of the people of Edo and the entire South-South, adding that it would attract investment to the state.

“In Edo, the people belong to a bigger party, the Federal Republic of Nigeria party. This is why you will see people decamping from left to right, right to left but no one can decamp from the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That’s what unites us,” he said.

Earlier, the Minister of Works, Onolememen, said that the Phase I of the project was 75 km long and that Phase II suffered a setback because of funding and technical challenges.

He said the project has, however, recorded over 60 percent completion, adding that 61 other roads have been completed across the country.


- Culled from: http://www.vanguardngr.com