Oshiomhole Fires Back At Umahi Over Neglected Federal Roads In Edo, Delta

According to Ireporter Online, Oshiomhole made the accusation during Wednesday’s Senate plenary, where he called on the upper legislative chamber to intervene and ensure a fairer distribution of federal road projects across the country.

The former Edo State governor expressed dissatisfaction with the poor condition of several major highways, including the Benin-Warri, Benin-Asaba, Benin-Auchi and Auchi-Okene roads, saying they had continued to pose serious challenges for motorists and residents.

Oshiomhole argued that the government should prioritise the rehabilitation of existing dilapidated roads before approving new infrastructure projects, noting that many important routes across the country require urgent repairs.

He questioned why some roads connecting Edo and Delta states had allegedly been overlooked despite the approval of several new road projects by the Federal Government.

“The federal minister of works needs to be guided. Whereas we have many existing roads that are in terrible condition, new roads are being proposed when the existing ones have not been properly addressed,” Oshiomhole said.

The senator alleged that the Ministry of Works had failed to make sufficient budgetary provisions for critical road sections affecting Edo and Delta states over the past three years.

He claimed that some road interventions in the areas only received attention after President Bola Tinubu issued directives for their rehabilitation.

Oshiomhole urged the Senate leadership to engage with the Works Minister and encourage a more balanced approach to road development that would benefit all regions of the country.

He stressed that federal infrastructure projects should be guided by national interest rather than regional considerations, calling for urgent action to address the condition of the affected roads.