Edo Community Protests Abandoned NDDC Road Project

By Adibe Emenyonu

Residents of Palace Road, Uteh Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday protested against an abandoned road project by the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) in their area

The protesters made up of residents, Keke riders, bus drivers, and others, blocked the ever-busy Upper Mission Extension, with placards bearing different inscriptions like: “NDDC Should Rise Up To Its Responsibility”, “NDDC Should Wake-up From Slumber”, “Project Not Done To Specification” Among Others.

Speaking, the Odionwere (Community Head), Pa. Robert Owen, aged 74, said the road was contracted to NDDC in 2014 but that the commission abandoned it halfway.

“This road leads to 12 communities and was awarded to NDDC in 2014. They did it halfway and abandoned it and till now, there is no action. You can see the gully and no attention from the NDDC that stopped the work. We are calling on the Edo State Government to prevail on the commission to come and complete the job. Even the halfway job is substandard.”

Also, Speaking, a shop owner, Mrs. Doris Osayende, said the state of the road has affected her business negatively.

According to her, motorists avoid the road all together, adding that whenever it rained the road will be completely flooded.

“This road has become a problem that is why I have to construct a fence round my shop. Many times flood entered my shop and spoiled my rice and provisions. I am pleading with the government to come to our aids”, Osayande said.

Similarly, a tricycle rider known as Keke, Friday David, said the NDDC began the road project and stopped it half way, pointing out that over a hundred keke riders pay #300.00 every day to government revenue collectors.

He said: “In April, all drivers paid N10,000 as riders permit, yet the road is not motorable. Most of the money we make go back to buying motor parts. The place we go to with N80.00 previously is now N150,00 because of the bad road. We are pleading with the governor to please come and help us, we voted for him and he should help us.”

A visit to the NDDC office in Benin met a brick wall as nobody wanted to speak to journalists. A senior worker who met with journalists, but declined to mention his name, said he was new in Benin. He promised that the management will look into It.

He said: “I don’t know anything about that contract, I am new in Benin City, and the person that supposed to give an answer to your question is on leave. But I promised the management will look into.”