Okpebholo Makes Bold Threat Over Abandoned Road Project — ‘I Am Going To Arrest That Contractor’

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has threatened to arrest the contractor handling a section of the Benin-Abraka Road over alleged abandonment of the project despite payment made by the previous administration.

Okpebholo made the statement on Friday while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas during his ongoing tour ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, the governor alleged that the contractor is a friend of former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

The governor said he had wanted to avoid publicly discussing the road project but was compelled to speak after hearing complaints about the hardship motorists and residents were experiencing.

Okpebholo explained that the Benin-Abraka Road project was awarded to two contractors under the previous administration.

According to him, one of the contractors has continued work and has completed about 75 per cent of its assigned section, while the other allegedly abandoned its portion despite receiving payment.

He said the situation had made movement along the road difficult for motorists.

“Following the agreement that was signed by Obaseki’s administration, that road construction project was paid for before I became governor. Despite the payment by the previous administration, the contractor still abandoned the road, allowing motorists to suffer untold hardship passing through the road,” Okpebholo said.

The governor added that the contractor allegedly responsible for the abandoned section was a friend of the former governor.

He further said: “Those in the diaspora don’t know what is happening and for me as the governor, I never wanted to speak on the issue of this Benin-Abraka Road, but what I heard today has prompted me to speak on the issue. I am going to arrest that contractor.”

The governor’s statement comes amid continued attention on the condition of the Benin-Abraka Road and the responsibility for completing the stalled section.