Three days have passed since the Residents in Ogheghe village of Edo State began its ongoing peaceful demonstration for the restoration of the Benin-Sapele express road.
The demonstration began on Monday and is still going, leading to the disruption of financial and economic operations in the area.
We recall that in November of 2021, Dr. Patrick Osagie Elohor, a human rights activist and the President of the One Love Foundation, organized a Peaceful Protestants in Solidarity for the aforementioned cause. On the second day of the protest, Dr. Godwin Obaseki, the state governor, intervened to end the peaceful demonstration.
He promised the demonstrators prompt action to repair the Benin-Sapele road after calming the situation.
Unfortunately, no improvements have been made, as evidenced by the numerous accidents and heavy traffic.
Prior to the rise of the protest Edo state Minister for Budget and National and Planning Hon. Clem Ikanade Agba issued a letter to the office of the Honourable Minister for Works and Housing. Hon. Babatunde Raji Fashola calling on the federal government to fix the Benin-Auchi road.
In response to this, Chief Dr Patrick Osagie Eholor described the act as an attempt to distract the federal government from the abandoned Benin Sapele road and said “It is very shameful that in the 21st century, we are still agitating for road constructions in Nigeria. When discussions of human capacity development and Building of Nuclear weapons are the order of the day in some countries.” He identified the Road as a majorly used road linking 5 states in the country.
He further urged the Federal Minister of Works and Housing to concentrate on the days-long renovation of the blocked Benin-Sapele route, before turning his focus to other regions of the state.
The comments of the inhabitants were startling to All Campus Show journalist who spoke with them. One said, "All federal roads in Edo State are in a terrible state, and this specific route has been awful for more than two years"
He acknowledges that they have ignored their shouts because the Federal government doesn't use the road.
"We are tired of the accidents and blockages, this is a Federal route that links to other parts of the country. Students from Nigeria also commute there."
"We are asking the federal government to fix our road and end the destruction of life and property.“
Another resident, who is a landlord in the community, revealed the strenuous process he undergoes when passing the route.
“Most times I look for a place to pack my car and board bike to my destination.
I always come back for it later at night when the traffic must have subsided.”
Some youths also expressed disappointment as nothing has been done so far, to curtail the situation.
According to them no Government officials at the Federal or State level have surfaced the protest grounds to date.
They called on the government to act swiftly and specifically claimed that they will not retreat until a notable construction company like Julius Berger commences work on the road.