Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo state, has unveiled plan to transform Ramat Park in Benin City into a major tourist attraction, as he inspected ongoing infrastructure projects across the Edo South Senatorial District.
The governor toured the Ikpoba Hill flyover, erosion control works at Ramat Park, and the reconstruction of Sapele Road linking Okhatu, Etiosa, Iyanomo and Obaretin communities. He said the redevelopment of Ramat Park would go beyond traffic decongestion to reposition the area as a centre for leisure, tourism and economic activities.
Addressing journalists at the project site, Okpebholo commended the pace of work and expressed optimism about the park’s future outlook.
“First of all, let me thank the people that love what we are doing for Edo people. You can see the speed at which these people have taken this project. By the time we are done with this place, this place will look like Dubai,” he said.
The governor stressed that his administration would deliberately develop the park into a relaxation and tourism destination.
“We are not stopping at flyover. We are going to build a park here so that this place will be useful. People will come in here to relax. A lot of things will be happening here. After this, we are proposing building a structure that will make this place a tourist attraction. That is what Edo should be known for, not cultism or people coming to create crisis here,” he added.
According to him, the initiative forms part of broader efforts to redefine Edo State’s image and promote positive engagement and recreation within the capital city.
Briefing the governor on the level of progress, a representative of the contracting firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Mr. Lee, assured that the project remains on schedule and is nearing completion.
“Maybe it will remain small work by May. I can say we can finish all the work by May,” he said.
At the Sapele Road reconstruction site, Governor Okpebholo described the project as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in action under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“You see what is happening here? This is the demonstration of Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerians. There’s no man in Edo that can see this road today and will say he will not vote for Mr President,” the governor said.
He noted that within one year and three months in office, his administration has recorded significant achievements, attributing the progress to the support of the President and the cooperation of Edo residents.
“Before now, you couldn’t pass this road. It took us hours just to move half a kilometre. We would not have done this if we were not getting the support from Mr President. I want to say a very big thank you to him, and I also thank Edo people for cooperating with us. Let me also thank the contractors because they are working day and night,” he stated.
Governor Okpebholo reiterated that while road infrastructure remains a priority, the planned transformation of Ramat Park into a tourist attraction will serve as a signature project aimed at boosting leisure, commerce and the overall aesthetic appeal of Benin City.