Residents and motorists plying the Benin-Sapele Road in Edo have heaved a sigh of relief as Civil and Building Construction (CBC) Global Nigeria Ltd. has returned to the site.

Work has resumed on the previously abandoned section of the road, which had become impassable during the rainy season.

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo had promised that contractors handling road projects across the state’s three senatorial districts would immediately return to their sites as soon as the rains subsided.

Speaking with journalists, respondents commended the governor’s commitment and highlighted the importance of the road project to the socioeconomic well-being of residents.

Benjamin Danjuma, a foreman in the earth-moving section of the Benin-Sapele Road project, explained that rainfall had made it difficult to continue construction work, particularly the preparatory stages.

Mr Danjuma said the construction team resumed work as soon as weather conditions improved.

He said the team was currently working on the first layer of the stone-base stage, which forms part of the road’s foundation before the final concrete pavement is laid.

According to him, after completing the first stone-base layer, the contractor would proceed to the stabilisation stage, which involves the use of stone base and cement, before laying the final concrete pavement.

A respondent, Abdulmalik Usman, a motorist and road user, commended the Edo Government for the ongoing rehabilitation of the road, saying the project had brought relief to motorists and other road users in the area.

Mr Usman said residents had previously experienced serious difficulties using the road, particularly when it was in a deplorable condition.

He said the situation had made movement difficult for motorists and commercial motorcycle operators.

He added that the ongoing construction had improved access along the road.

He expressed delight that motorists could now move more freely compared with the situation before the rehabilitation work began.

A trader, Joy Obosheya, said she was particularly happy with the contractor’s return to the site, noting that the poor condition of the road had affected business activities in the area.

She said the rehabilitation had also improved access to the area, allowing residents and customers to move around more easily and patronise businesses.

A driver, John Kingsley, lamented that motorists and pedestrians had previously found it difficult to use the section of the Benin-Sapele Road currently undergoing rehabilitation.

Mr Kingsley commended Mr Okpebholo for ensuring that the contractor returned to the site.

(NAN)