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Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has addressed the troubled Benin-Asaba Road following protests and severe traffic gridlock, and said on Tuesday he would visit the highway on Wednesday to assess the situation and find immediate solutions.
He will meet with independent engineers, the road concessionaire, Ministry of Works officials and the Edo State Government.
“Tomorrow, we are off to Benin-Asaba. I want Nigerians to be assured that when we get there, we’ll solve that problem,” Umahi said.
He made the announcement at the flag-off ceremony for the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, in a video shared Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze.
Umahi blamed the worsening condition partly on challenges surrounding the government’s use of private-sector concession arrangements for road projects.
The minister alleged that the concessionaire removed more than 30 kilometres of asphalt from the highway but failed to complete the rehabilitation.
“But this concessionaire came and removed over 30 km of the asphalt and threw it away and threw it in the yard and left. And today, people are suffering,” he said.
Umahi said his visit would involve a “robust engagement” with the independent engineers, concessionaire, the ministry’s legal team and the Edo State Government.
“So, there’s going to be a robust engagement, even with the governor of Edo State,” he added.
The planned intervention comes after growing public anger over the poor condition of the Benin-Agbor section of the highway. Residents, motorists and transport workers have staged protests over the prolonged gridlock and deteriorating road.
The Benin-Asaba Road is a major route connecting communities in Edo and Delta states, with its poor condition disrupting movement and economic activities.
Umahi’s inspection is expected to focus on easing the traffic crisis and resolving the stalled rehabilitation work.
