2 Years of Asphalt -: How Okpebholo’s Road Revolution Is Connecting Edo Central, North & South

2 Years of Asphalt -: How Okpebholo’s Road Revolution Is Connecting Edo Central, North & South

By Festus Alenkhe

Two years ago, Edo people asked for action, not speeches. Today, the answer is written in tar, concrete, and kilometres of new roads.

Under  Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo, the hum of graders and the smell of fresh asphalt have become the soundtrack of governance. From Edo South to Edo Central and Edo North, the administration has turned infrastructure from a campaign promise into daily reality.

The roads that once swallowed vehicles, cut off farms, and trapped communities in erosion are now being opened up. And with them, markets, schools, and livelihoods are opening up too.

Edo South: Benin and Environs Getting a New Look  

In the heart of Benin City, history is being made. The Ramat Park Flyover, Edo’s first, is 99% ready and slated for commissioning in November 2026. The 949-metre bridge, with 350m and 214m link roads, is designed to ease the gridlock that has choked the city for years.

Across the metropolis, other projects are breathing new life:  

The 14km Ohoghobi–Evbhukhu Boundary Road is almost done, with massive drainage to fight erosion in Oghe and Sapele Old Road axis.  

The 8.25km Amufi–Okpagha–Egan Road now connects Benin–Agbor and Benin–Auchi highways, and comes with 5 water retention basins to end decades of flooding.  

Okhunmwun Road, is offering a new escape route for Oluku, Siluko and Ekehuan residents, with 1.2km already asphalted.  

On Upper Ekehuan, concrete paving is ongoing, while the Catholic Charismatic Road is also under construction.  

Palace Road and the Ekiuwa–UNIBEN Road* have been fully asphalted, and the Ekiuwa gully has been reclaimed.  

And on Sapele Road, major rehabilitation is ongoing. The Governor says sections linking Edo and Delta will be opened to traffic in the coming weeks.

Edo Central: Esan Land Linked and Dualised 

In Esan, the story is about connection.  

The Ekpoma–Uromi–Ubiaja dualisation is in full swing. “From Ekpoma to Ubiaja, we are dualising the road,” the Governor declared.  

The second phase of Amedokhian–Iruele–Awo Road is ongoing.  

The 26km Unewa–Ohe–Uzea–Awo Road will link over 15 communities and connect directly to the railway station at Awo.  

Ewu–Uromi–Igueben–Ekpoma is getting an 11.5km dual carriageway, with contractors promising to deliver on time.  

New approvals include Iruekpen–Ozalla–Sabo Road. while the Uromi–Onewa–Udomi–Ibhiolulu–Afuda–Idumoza route is now at an advanced stage of rehabilitation.

Edo North: Afemai Corridors Under Repair  

In the North, the focus is on opening up trade routes.  

Construction is ongoing on the 9.6km Auchi–Igarra–Ibillo Road, with palliative works also covering Auchi–Igarra–Aiyetoro–Unemu–Nekhua–Aiyegunle–Ekpesa–Ibillo–Ekor.  

Along the Auchi–Igarra–Aiyetoro corridor, over 45 failed portions are being fixed to improve movement and link Edo to neighbouring states.

Institutions and Rural Links  

Even campuses are not left out. The Edo State Polytechnic, Usennow has a 5km network of internal roads ready for use.  

The Ukpenu–Emuhi–Ugiamen–Ehor Road has also been approved for construction.

What This Means for the People 

For years, residents of Ohoghobi, Amufi, Okpagha and communities across Akoko-Edo battled erosion and bad roads. Today, drainage works are 80% complete, contractors are on site, and crucially, “contractors are not being owed.” That means work is steady, even in the rains.

Rural farmers can now move produce to market. Students can get to school. Patients can reach hospitals faster.

Governor Okpebholo puts it simply: _“I am here to work for the people of Edo State, just as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu works for Nigerians, bringing hope to the people.”_  

That hope is now measured in asphalt.

As the administration marks 2 years in office on November 12, many of these roads are ready for commissioning. Others are moving fast because funding is prompt and supervision is constant.

Edo Is Moving 

From linking 15+ communities in Edo Central, to creating alternative routes in Edo South, to fixing failed sections in Edo North, the message is clear: this government is building roads for every senatorial district, every LGA, every ward.

Edo is no longer waiting.  

Edo is moving.

And the road to that movement was built one project at a time.

Festus Alenkhe writes from Benin City