Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured that the state is ready for the operationalisation of the Nigerian Army’s 83 Division in Benin City.
Governor Okpebholo gave the assurance on Thursday during an inspection visit to the temporary facility of the 83 Division in Benin, where he assessed the progress of ongoing work at the facility located along Temboga road.
He said the location, which was bushy when he last visited about two weeks ago, had been cleared and fencing of the facility about to begin.
Governor Okpebholo said the infrastructure being provided at the facility is a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to supporting the military.
The Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, said the inspection was a follow-up to an earlier visit to assess the progress of work at the facility.
MON/NA
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT KICKS-OFF PALLIATAIVE WORKS ON BENIN-ASABA ROAD
The federal Government has commenced immediate remedial works at various failed sections of the 125-kilometer Benin-Asaba road.
Represented by Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the President said the intervention was aimed at responding to the hardship suffered by road users on the critical highway linking Edo and Delta states with other parts of the country.
The President spoke on Thursday in Benin during the inauguration of the emergency intervention works on the road.
He said the Benin-Asaba corridor had been concessioned under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement to the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company with the expectation that the road would be completed within three years.
He, however, said the pace and manner of execution had fallen short of the terms of the concession agreement
==== INAU BEN SEPT 23RD ===
Meanwhile, the Minister of works, Engr David Umahi said the Ministry has taken over the immediate palliative rehabilitation in the interest of the public.
Umahi clarified that the temporary palliative works were not awarded to Hi-Tech or any other contractor, explaining that the ministry hired equipment for the emergency intervention works.
He said the Federal Government decided to intervene after efforts to secure the cooperation of the concessionaire failed.
On the realignment of the Coastal Highway, he said the route would commence from the Benin bypass through Delta and Bayelsa to Eleme Junction