Members of the Ugu Youths Development for Change (UYDC) in the Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State staged a protest on Monday against the recent inauguration of the Abraka-Oben Road by the Ministry of Regional Development.
The protest, which took place in Benin City, was organized by youth representatives from over 13 communities within Ugu Ward, including Urhehue, Oben, Odighi, and Obanokhoro.
The UYDC claims that the inaugurated road does not exist, leading to accusations of governmental neglect in a region that is home to West Africa’s largest gas deposit. Mr. Monday Osemwenkhae, the UYDC Coordinator, voiced the group’s concerns, stating, “We are here to state that the so-called Abraka-Oben road, which was supposedly commissioned by the ministry, does not exist anywhere in our locality.”
Osemwenkhae further criticized the ministry for what he described as a “deliberate attempt to continue the neglect of our area.” He emphasized the significance of the Oben oil field and urged the ministry to prioritize the development of the local infrastructure.
“The Ministry of Regional Development is supposed to focus on the development of the surrounding environment. However, what we have received is the commissioning of a nonexistent road, with our community’s name attached to it, to deflect attention from the real issue,” he added.
The coordinator highlighted that the main access routes to Oben are the Ugo-Obozogbe-Iguelaba Road and the Umoghun-Nokhua-Oben Road, noting that the former is currently under construction with support from community funds and private sector involvement.
In response to the allegations, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh clarified the situation in a phone interview.
He explained, “The commissioned road runs from Abraka to Oben, not from Benin to Oben. They should understand that the road runs from Abraka to Oben, from the Delta end, not from Benin to Oben. We have not made any claims about a road from Benin to Oben. They need to get that clear.”
Momoh reassured the community that travel between Oben and Abraka is now feasible without issues, stating, “You can now travel from Oben to Abraka without any problems. The ministry has already completed a 20-kilometer stretch from Benin. The other road they are referring to, from Abraka to Benin, is in the first phase of construction, covering 10 kilometers from Abraka to Oben, not Benin to Abraka.”
The ongoing dialogue between the UYDC and the Ministry of Regional Development underscores the community’s demand for transparency and accountability in infrastructure development within the region.
