Minister of Works David Umahi has apologised to motorists and travellers stranded along the Benin-Agbor-Asaba Expressway. This comes as the Federal Government begins an emergency intervention on the deteriorating highway.
According to The Punch, Umahi inspected the troubled corridor on Tuesday. This followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu to take immediate steps to restore movement and reduce the hardship commuters have endured for several days.
Umahi takes responsibility for road crisis
During the inspection, the minister accepted responsibility on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Works for the situation. He also acknowledged the difficulties experienced by road users.
“I apologise to commuters plying this road,” Umahi said.
He assured motorists that the government’s response would not stop at temporary measures. In addition, he said emergency work would be combined with longer-term repairs to improve the road.
The intervention followed days of severe congestion that left travellers and truck drivers stranded along portions of the route. Some journeys reportedly stretched into several days.
Umahi faults concessionaire over road handling
Umahi expressed disappointment with the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company, which took over the road under a public-private partnership arrangement in 2025.
The minister accused the concessionaire of poorly handling the project. Furthermore, he questioned whether it possessed the technical capacity required to execute the work.
He said the company had been advised against removing existing asphalt from large sections of the highway. This advice was given before adequate arrangements were made for reconstruction.
Umahi described the concessionaire’s performance as having “failed woefully” and said the government would review the arrangement.
He also admitted that government agencies should have conducted stronger assessments of the technical competence of concessionaires. This should have happened before handing critical roads to them.
Tinubu orders urgent intervention
Umahi’s visit followed Tinubu’s directive that the Ministry of Works intervene immediately on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba corridor.
The minister travelled to Edo State alongside members of National Assembly works committees. This was part of a coordinated effort to find an immediate solution.
Officials from Edo and Delta states, the Niger Delta Development Commission and other stakeholders were also expected to participate in discussions. These discussions will focus on how to restore the road.
Umahi said competent contractors could be brought in to carry out emergency work and make the highway motorable. Meanwhile, broader issues surrounding the concession are addressed.
Concessionaire blames rainfall, heavy traffic
The Chief Executive Officer of BAECC, Samuel Daramola, attributed some of the delays to heavy rainfall and the large volume of vehicles using the highway.
He said the company had expanded parts of the road but experienced difficulties constructing side drains. This occurred because traffic had to continue moving along the corridor.
The Benin-Asaba Expressway was concessioned in 2025 with plans to expand it into a 10-lane highway.
The project is expected to be completed by September 2027. Meanwhile, the private operator is to manage the road and recover its investment through tolling under a 25-year concession agreement.
Days of gridlock trigger public anger
The poor state of the highway has generated growing frustration among motorists, residents and transport workers.
Travellers have complained of spending several hours and, in some cases, days in traffic. This happens as vehicles struggle through damaged and muddy sections of the road.
Protests have also been held along the Benin-Agbor Bypass, with residents demanding urgent repairs. In addition, they accuse authorities of allowing a vital interstate route to deteriorate.
The road serves as an important link between Edo and Delta states. It connects travellers heading towards several parts of the South-South and South-East.
Okpebholo intervention earns praise
Umahi also praised Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for intervening on several federal roads within the state. This was done despite the responsibility primarily resting with the Federal Government.
The minister said such intervention demonstrated the need to prioritise the hardship experienced by road users. This applies regardless of which tier of government owns a road.
He also said the NDDC had indicated its willingness to support efforts to restore the affected corridor.
FG promises permanent solution
The Federal Government says the latest intervention will focus first on restoring movement. After that, it will deal with the deeper structural problems affecting the highway.
Umahi has also called for a review of concessioned roads across the country. This is to determine whether private operators are meeting the terms of their agreements.
For commuters who have spent days trapped along the Benin-Agbor-Asaba route, however, attention will now be on how quickly the promised emergency intervention translates into a passable highway.
