By Goodluck Ikiebe
Commuters plying Lokoja – Benin Federal highway will heave a sigh of relief as the the Federal Executive Council approves the sum of ₦75 billion for the reconstruction of the dualized Lokoja-Benin Road, specifically extending from Obajana Junction in Kogi State to Benin, the capital of Edo State and ₦64 billion for the Benin-Warri Dual Carriageway.
The Lokoja-Benin Road which was included in the Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme Phase 2 is a critical asset that links the entire South-South zone to the Northern part of the country.
Reacting to the development, the Minister of State, Finance and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba says, ” I am grateful to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, as the approval covers section 2 of the road from Okene-Auchi, section three from Auchi – Ehor and section four from Ehor – Benin at the cost of N25 billion each.
Prince Agba, who is from Edo North, also thanked the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, for his contribution towards securing both presidential and FEC approvals.
Our checks revealed that the highway has been a nightmare for travellers along the route, but thank God, help has come.
