INFRASTRUCTURE

Ugbowo Road in Benin City faces persistent flooding and drainage failure driven by rapid urbanization, poor maintenance, and structural decay. This study assessed the structural integrity and hydraulic efficiency of drainage sections at four key locations: UBTH, Adolor Junction, Uselu Shell, and Ekehuan Link Road. Through visual inspections, non-destructive rebound hammer testing, and hydraulic analysis using Manning’s and Rational Methods, the research aimed to identify specific causes of failure and propose viable technical solutions. The investigation revealed significant structural defects, including cracks, erosion, and honeycombing, with concrete compressive strengths (12.7–19.8 MPa) falling below the required 20–25 MPa standard. While hydraulic analysis confirmed that the original designs possessed sufficient capacity to handle peak discharges, their performance is currently crippled by heavy siltation, waste dumping, and poor slope alignment. Consequently, the study identified functional inefficiency and maintenance neglect, particularly at the critical Adolor Junction rather than design inadequacy as the primary drivers of drainage failure. To restore optimal functionality and mitigate urban flooding, the study recommends the
reconstruction of failing sections using 25 MPa concrete and the implementation of a rigorous maintenance regime involving routine desilting. Technical enhancements, such as the installation of trash screens and inspection chambers, should be paired with the enforcement of environmental sanitation policies. Finally, the establishment of a drainage asset management plan by the Edo State Ministry of Works and Environment is essential for the long-term monitoring and sustainability of the corridor's infrastructure.

The aim of this study was designed to examine the place of infrastructure in the growth of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria. To guide the study, four research questions were raised which are outlined thus: Does good road influence the growth of SME? How does power supply impact the growth of SME? How does information technology and communication influence the growth of SME? How does transportation system influence the growth of SME? The study adopted survey research design because the sampled elements and the variables under investigation were observed without any attempt to control or manipulate them from these four research questions, 20 items were raised in the questionnaire together with the data for this study and the questionnaire was subject to Crobach alpha method of testing and a coefficient of 0.73 was obtained. The descriptive survey research design was used for this study. Population of the study consisted of operators of small and medium businesses operating in Edo State City, Edo Sate. he findings from the study revealed that majority of the respondents were agreed access to reliable electricity supply impact the growth of small medium enterprise. It was shown that majority of the respondents agree that time spent on the road network in commuting for small business activities impact expenses on the growth of small medium enterprise. It was seen that majority of the respondents agreed that customer satisfactionthrough the use of ICT. It is recommended that there is need for the State government to create independent power supply in industrial estates while sustaining the expanded electricity distribution programme. There is also the need to restructure and strengthen policy in favour of small-scale business to stimulate their rapid growth and development. Small businesses are expected to champion local sourcing of raw materials and export them
if the environment is enabling enough. Finally, the quality and quantity of goods produced by SMEs should be of a high quality with relatively low price at all times, this will attract more customers and make demand to be high always.