Travellers and motorists have been left stranded for days in severe gridlock along the Benin-Agbor Road in Edo State. The deteriorating condition of the highway brings movement along the busy corridor to a crawl.
According to TheGuildNG, the congestion has affected travellers using the wider Lagos-Onitsha Expressway. Vehicles struggle to navigate badly damaged sections of the road. Meanwhile, passengers face uncertainty over when they will reach their destinations.
Commuters abandon vehicles amid gridlock
The prolonged traffic has left long lines of commercial buses, private vehicles and articulated trucks trapped along the route.
With traffic barely moving in some areas, several commuters reportedly abandoned their vehicles. They trekked long distances in search of alternative transportation.
Others resorted to commercial motorcycles to navigate the congested sections, with riders reportedly charging unusually high fares as demand increased.
The situation has left travellers exhausted and frustrated. This is particularly true for those undertaking long-distance journeys between Lagos, Benin City, Agbor, Asaba and Onitsha.
Travellers blame deplorable road
Videos shared by affected travellers on social media showed commuters expressing anger over the condition of the highway. They demanded urgent government intervention.
Some questioned why major new infrastructure projects were receiving attention. Yet, existing federal highways used daily by thousands of Nigerians remained badly damaged.
Particular criticism was directed at the Federal Government and Minister of Works David Umahi. This focused on the deteriorating sections around the Benin City Bypass.
The travellers argued that the state of the road had transformed what should ordinarily be a straightforward interstate journey into an exhausting experience. For some motorists caught in the prolonged congestion, it lasted several hours or much longer.
Okpebholo urged to intervene
While acknowledging that the affected road is under the Federal Government, some commuters also appealed to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo. They asked him to intervene within the limits of the state government’s authority.
They urged the governor to explore emergency measures capable of easing traffic and reducing the hardship faced by residents and travellers. This would help while they await more comprehensive rehabilitation.
The latest gridlock comes after residents and motorists protested the condition of the Benin-Agbor Bypass on Thursday. They demanded that authorities repair the road rather than provide temporary relief.
Busy Lagos-Onitsha link under pressure
The Agbor-Benin corridor forms part of the important Lagos-Onitsha transport route connecting the South-West with the South-South and South-East.
Large numbers of commercial buses, private cars and trucks carrying passengers and goods use the highway daily.
The volume of heavy-duty vehicles moving through the corridor has placed further pressure on damaged sections. This has worsened congestion whenever vehicles encounter potholes, muddy areas or other failed portions.
For stranded commuters, the immediate demand remains the same: urgent rehabilitation of the highway and measures to restore free movement along one of southern Nigeria’s important interstate routes.
