By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN—SECRETARY to the Edo State Government, Mr. Pally Iriase, has lamented the deplorable state of federal roads in the state. He has, therefore, charged the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, and other agencies responsible for the maintenance of the roads to live up to their responsibilities.

Iriase spoke, weekend, at Iuleha in Owan West Local Government Area, on the occasion of the 2010 Iuleha National Day Celebration.

He expressed concern over the state of Ozalla-Uzebba federal road, which has become almost impassable and challenged the people of Owan East and West Local Government Areas of the state, to use the occasion of the 2011 generation elections to vote out the political office holders, whose only business in government was to satisfy their selfish interests and those of their godfathers.

He expressed dismay that the current federal lawmakers from the area have neither thought it wise to draw the attention of FERMA to the worsening condition of the federal roads in the locality nor raised any motion on the floor of the House with a view to attracting attention to their rehabilitation.

Iriase saluted the people of Iuleha for their abiding faith in the Nigeria project and congratulated them on their 2010 Cultural Cerebration, assuring them of the state government’s support. He also announced that the state government had taken it as a priority to complete Uzebba-Ikhin Road as well as the completion of a number of public schools in the two councils.

Also contributing, the member representing Owan East in the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Folly Ogedengbe called on the two Owan local government areas to maintain the principle of zoning with regard to nomination and election of candidates to the National Assembly warning that the deplorable condition of the federal roads in the area has exposed some politicians who are in Abuja not for the people but for themselves and their godfathers.

A N50 million Appeal Fund for the completion of the Iuleha Civic Centre was launched during the occasion.