Urgent Appeal for Emergency Intervention

Amb. Collins Osazee Idahosa, Governor of the NYCN Diaspora, has appealed to the Edo State Government to urgently intervene in the deplorable condition of the Benin City-Ovia road, warning that the route poses serious risks to motorists and other road users.

Idahosa, in an open letter addressed to the Edo State Governor at Government House, Benin City, expressed deep concern over the alleged frequency of accidents, difficulties faced by pregnant women seeking medical attention, and the disruption of commercial activities along the road linking Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West local government areas.

He called on the state government to immediately commence palliative repairs, direct the Ministry of Works to assess the road, and include it in its emergency intervention plans while pursuing a long-term solution for its reconstruction.

Describing the road as a critical economic link for communities across Ovia, Idahosa said its deteriorating state has placed residents under considerable hardship and threatened their daily livelihoods.

The road from Benin City to Ovia Federal Constituency, comprising Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West, has become a complete death trap and a national embarrassment.

— Amb. Collins Osazee Idahosa, Governor, NYCN Diaspora

Economic Impact on Agrarian and Oil Communities

According to Idahosa, the corridor serves oil-producing communities and provides an indispensable route for transporting agricultural produce to markets in Benin City and other parts of Edo State. He lamented that local farmers who depend on the road to transport plantain, fish, rubber, and cocoa are struggling to move their commodities because of its failed sections.

This is a road that leads to oil-producing communities. This is a road that feeds Benin City. This is a road that our mothers use to carry plantain, fish, rubber, cocoa to the market. Today, that same road is killing them.

— Amb. Collins Osazee Idahosa, Governor, NYCN Diaspora

Describing Ovia as a major agrarian and commercial base in Edo State, Idahosa noted that the area contributes substantially to the state's revenue through oil and gas, timber, rubber, and diverse farming activities. He questioned why communities providing significant economic contributions continue to face extreme infrastructural neglect.

Ovia is the food basket of Edo State. Ovia is the economic hub. Ovia gave Edo State so much, including oil and gas, timber, and rubber. Why should Ovia people be punished with such a bad road?

— Amb. Collins Osazee Idahosa, Governor, NYCN Diaspora

Rising Safety Concerns and Commuter Hardship

Idahosa alleged that vehicles frequently fall into large gullies along the route, leaving commercial motorcycle operators and other road users vulnerable to recurrent accidents. He also raised concerns over the severe distress experienced by pregnant women travelling to Benin City for childbirth and emergency medical care, alleging that some had lost their lives due to journey-related complications, though the letter did not provide specific figures or incident records.

Beyond immediate physical hazards, the deteriorated road has hindered commercial transit, tripled transport fares, and sharply inflated travel times between local communities and the state capital. Commutes that previously took approximately 30 minutes can now extend up to four hours.

The NYCN Diaspora leader also highlighted the logistical ordeal faced by students travelling to educational institutions in Benin City, explaining that the current road conditions leave many commuters stranded and struggling to reach their destinations.

Demands for Immediate Palliative Action

Appealing to the state leadership to treat the situation as an urgent matter of public safety, Idahosa stressed that residents are not demanding elaborate capital projects, but rather a functional and motorable roadway.

We are not asking for a new airport. We are not asking for flyover. We are asking for a motorable road — a basic right of every citizen.

— Amb. Collins Osazee Idahosa, Governor, NYCN Diaspora

Although acknowledging that the route is classified as a federal road, Idahosa urged the Edo State Government to step in directly to alleviate the suffering of residents. He requested that officials from the state Ministry of Works visit the affected areas promptly to evaluate the damage and initiate remedial work.

I, Amb. Collins Idahosa, on behalf of Ovia sons and daughters in diaspora, passionately appeal to your government to immediately commence palliative work to make the road passable.

— Amb. Collins Osazee Idahosa, Governor, NYCN Diaspora

Idahosa maintained that his appeal was prompted solely by concern for the welfare of residents rather than partisan considerations, calling on the state administration to intervene decisively before further lives are lost.

Our people are suffering. Our people are crying. Our people are dying.

— Amb. Collins Osazee Idahosa, Governor, NYCN Diaspora