Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo said on Sunday that the state government had begun the construction of an underground drainage system to de-flood the New Lagos Road part of the state capital.
Oshiomhole disclosed this while addressing a mammoth crowd of Catholic faithful who gathered at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital ground for the three-day pilgrimage at the relic of Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi.
He said that the hardship motorists experienced whenever it rained on the Ugbowo axis of the New Lagos Road would soon be a thing of the past.
“I appreciated on my way here that it was difficult getting across because of the challenge of flooding that we still face in several parts of Benin City, in spite of all the efforts we are making and in spite of all the investment we have made in flood control.
“I saw the difficulties people went through passing through Tom Line and all the way to Adolo Junction.”
“Let me assure you that we have since awarded a contract to drain that road to RCC.
“ As you would have seen, they are already working on both sides of the road which is intended to decongest the road.
“And when they are done with the underground drain, I can assure you that by this time next year, you won’t experience any flooding in this area.”
Earlier, Rev. Father Andrew Obinyan, the Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Benin City, said that the idea of the three-day pilgrimage was first mooted by the late Mrs Clara Oshiomhole.
Obinyan said this was after her pilgrimage to the Basilica to pray and venerate the sacred relic of Blessed Father Tansi.
Obinyan revealed that her desire to spread her arms to those in need of religious experience and divine encounter propelled her to sponsor the hosting of the Sacred Relic and had it brought to Benin City.
“With the consent of and cooperation of the Archbishop, the Most Rev Dr Augustine Akubeze, Mrs Clara Oshiomhole’s dream has become a reality today.”
He noted that although she had passed on to glory, “her holy desire stands the test of time”.