Residents, motorists lament bad Ugbowo-Benin-Lagos road

Residents and motorists in Benin City are lamenting a failed portion on the Ugbowo-Lagos Road by Isihor now in a dilapidated state following heavy flooding that has ravaged that section of the road.

The failed portion, adjacent the S&T Army Barracks Gate at Isihor in Ovia North East Local Government Area, has become an eyesore to those visiting Edo State from Lagos and other parts of the South West.

Residents had appealed to the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to rehabilitate the failed portion of the road to tackle the flooding, which they said, now poses serious danger to motorists and residents of the area.

They, therefore, urged the Federal Government to prevail on the Army Authority to reopen the water channel caused by the heavy flooding and damage on the portion of the road.

The residents also argued that the situation was not unconnected to the military’s refusal to open up the water channels to allow free flow of water on the road.

When contacted on telephone, Edo State Controller of Works, Engineer Oke Owhe, said he would comment on the issue on a later date, just as the Army authority declined comment on the matter.

Commuters who lamented the environmental threat and danger to lives and property occasioned by the perennial flooding on the portion of the road said the worsening condition has become a nightmare to road users and residents of the area.

Some youths of the community told The Guardian in Benin City that the federal highway was not as bad as it has become until the Army blocked a water passage through the Barracks, which they claimed has hindered free flow of water from the highway to the water channels connecting the drainage.

The heavy flooding and devastating condition of the road, which has become a source of worry to most community residents and motorists, has subjected the road users to hardship, as they lamented their ordeal while on the road. Some motorists and staff of the University of Benin also complained that the condition of the road has forced many staff members of the University of Benin to abandon their vehicles.

Others said they have no option other than to visit the mechanic workshop regularly due to the bad road, which constantly destroys their vehicles.