Newly Constructed Road Washes Off with First Rain
A road project recently completed in Uromi, Edo State, has been washed away by a single heavy rainfall, less than a week after its completion.
The project, facilitated by Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie, the federal lawmaker representing Esan North-East/Esan South-East Federal Constituency, has raised serious questions about the quality of materials and workmanship used in its construction.
According to a post on the official X handle of MonITNG, a non-governmental organisation, the road, which is located near the General Hospital in Uromi, collapsed following a heavy downpour, leaving millions of naira worth of investment in tatters.
The organisation, which has been monitoring the project, expressed outrage and disappointment at the development, stating that “millions of naira were spent on this project, yet it couldn’t withstand even one rainfall. This is unacceptable.”
MonITNG called on the Edo State Governor, his deputy, as well as anti-graft agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to launch an urgent investigation into the road project.
The organisation stressed the need for accountability and transparency in the execution of public infrastructure, warning that continued tolerance of substandard projects would only worsen infrastructural decay in the country.
“We visited the newly completed General Hospital Road in Uromi, Edo State, facilitated by Hon. Prince Odi Okojie, and were shocked to discover that parts of the road have already washed away after a single heavy rainfall, despite the millions of naira spent on the project,” the organisation stated. “This is a clear case of substandard materials and poor supervision. The road was meant to serve the community for years, not days.”
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern among the community, with many calling for greater accountability and transparency in the execution of public projects. Taxpayers, according to MonITNG, deserve durable infrastructure, not quick-fix projects that crumble at the first sign of weather stress. “Quality materials and proper engineering aren’t luxuries, they are necessities. Roads are lifelines for economic activity, emergency access, and daily life. Cutting corners in construction not only wastes resources but endangers lives,” the organisation added.
As the investigation into the road project is expected to commence, the Edo State Government and anti-graft agencies have been urged to take swift and decisive action to address the issue. The people of Edo State, according to MonITNG, deserve better, and it is the responsibility of the government and its agencies to ensure that public funds are used judiciously and that infrastructure projects are executed to the highest standards.
In a statement, MonITNG called on the relevant authorities to “enforce accountability and ensure that those responsible for this substandard project are held accountable. The people of Edo State deserve better, and we will continue to monitor and report on this project to ensure that justice is served.”
As the situation continues to unfold, the federal lawmaker, Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie, has yet to comment on the incident. However, sources close to the lawmaker have indicated that he is “concerned” about the development and is “willing to cooperate with any investigation” into the matter.
The incident has raised serious questions about the quality of infrastructure projects in Nigeria and the need for greater accountability and transparency in the execution of public funds. As the investigation into the road project continues, one thing is clear: the people of Edo State, and indeed Nigeria, deserve better.
