Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to commence emergency repairs on the Benin-Asaba Road, describing the intervention as a critical step toward restoring a major economic corridor. The announcement was made during the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” exercise held in Benin City on Thursday, where officials addressed the severe deterioration of the highway that has caused prolonged hardship for motorists, commuters, and businesses.
Restoring a Vital Artery
Speaking through the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, Governor Oborevwori emphasized the road’s significance as a primary link between Delta and Edo states, as well as a connector for the South-South and South-East regions. Aniagwu attributed the highway’s decline largely to the failure of the concessionaire to meet the objectives of their agreement. He commended President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Works Senator Dave Umahi for the intervention, stating that the state looks forward to the road being restored to a standard that will ease the movement of people and goods and revive commercial activities.
“We are therefore delighted that the Federal Government has today deemed it fit to give life back to this important road corridor, which connects not only the commercial centres of the South-East but also the burgeoning business centres in Delta and Edo states,” Aniagwu said.
Minister Umahi clarified that the emergency rehabilitation was not awarded as a conventional contract. Instead, the ministry deployed equipment hired from contractors already operating along the corridor, including Hi-Tech, CCECC, and CBC. Umahi stated that this temporary intervention is expected to restore the road within four weeks. He further revealed that President Tinubu has directed the redesign of the entire 136-kilometre Benin-Asaba dual carriageway with reinforced concrete pavement to ensure long-term structural integrity.
Concessionaire Breach and State Collaboration
The Minister alleged that the original concessionaire lacked the engineering and financial capacity to execute the project and had breached provisions of the concession agreement. Although the Federal Government had offered the concessionaire three options to continue the project, these attempts failed, prompting the ministry to intervene in the public interest. The emergency works are set to commence from the Edo axis, with particular focus on the Benin Bypass, while supervising engineers will be deployed to monitor compliance with standards across different sections.
In a display of federal-state cooperation, Aniagwu highlighted Delta State’s own contributions to federal road infrastructure, citing the state’s construction of a concrete rigid pavement section on the Warri-Sapele Road. He also expressed optimism regarding the First Niger Bridge, commending Umahi for the ongoing rehabilitation works and anticipating its reopening. Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who was present at the event, thanked President Tinubu for ordering the intervention and urged project handlers to ensure quality, adherence to specifications, and timely completion.
The Benin-Asaba Road has suffered from failed sections and severe gridlock in recent months, significantly disrupting the movement of people and goods across the region. While the emergency intervention aims to provide immediate relief to motorists, the planned redesign and long-term reconstruction of the corridor are expected to address the underlying structural issues permanently.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
