Oba of Benin’s 10th Anniversary: Oba Ovonranmwen Square cries for urgent facelift

By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY—Ahead of the 10th year coronation anniversary of the Oba of Benin, the popular  Benin City Centre ( Ring road )  that was renamed Oba Ovonranmwen Square, is begging for government attention.

The Oba  palace where most of the colorful activities to mark the king’s coronation anniversary is less than 200 metres from the Square . Interestingly  part of the area is already being decorated ahead of the celebrations but the roads around  are in a deplorable state. 

When Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was  governor of Edo State in 2008, he embarked on a massive urban renewal,  promising  to reconstruct and dualise all roads leading into the Oba   Ovonranmwen Square.

He succeeded in doing six out of the seven roads leading to the centre.  The seventh was later reconstructed by the administration of  his successor ,former  Godwin Obaseki.

Oshiomhole also re-asphalted the  City centre and built a water fountain inside the National Museum which added to the aesthetics of the Square.

Throughout the tenure of Obaseki, only palliatives were carried out on the road round the square while the fountain was completely abandoned and subsequently vandalized.

After almost ten years of abandonment, the asphalt on the square has broken and degenerated to several potholes all over the place.

Residents of Benin City have lamented the bad state of the road in the city centre and called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to take immediate action to fix them.

They complained that roads are broken in several parts thereby slowing down traffic and that it is affecting the aesthetics of the heart of the city from where they can connect any part of the state capital and beyond.

There are potholes in the city, adjoining roads Plymouth, Ibiwe, Sokponba and others are in bad shape.

Besides, commercial drivers drop and pick passengers despite previously being barred from such in the presence of government and union officials posted to control traffic but are mostly interested in extorting drivers.

The gardens built around the Square have overgrown with weeds even as hawkers are seen all over the place.

A motorist, Osaro Idemudia said “We are not happy with the way the Ring Road is looking. Bus drivers are supposed to take passengers to Central Park. Look at dirt everywhere.”

To James Igie, the Kings Square represents the image of the state and lamented its current look.

When contacted for comments, Managing Director of Edo State Road Maintenance Agency (ERMA), Engr. Felix Ibhade, said there were plans to fix the ring road.

He said Governor Monday Okpebholo does not want to do palliative on the road but a full blown asphalting rehabilitation. “We are on it, our constraints is the rain because the majority of the roads we have given amelioration, the rain washed them up. So we are waiting for the rain to subside. That is the beauty of the town and we don’t want to do it and after one month it will wear out. We will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Works because it is not going to be an easy job.”

Managing Director, Edo State Parks and Gardens Agency, Pastor Stanley Ighodaro, said the city centre and other parts would be beautified.

When contacted for comments, Managing Director of Edo State Road Maintenance Agency, Engr. Felix Ibhade, said there were plans to fix the ring road.

He said Governor Monday Okpebholo does not want to do palliative on the road but a full blown asphalting rehabilitation.