Benin-Agbor-Asaba gridlock: Contractor failed to meet obligations – Sunday Dare – Daily Trust

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has attributed the prolonged gridlock and deteriorating condition of the Benin-Agbor-Asaba expressway to the failure of the contractor handling the project to meet its obligations.

Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday while reacting to the traffic crisis on the major highway, Dare said the Federal Government had a responsibility to provide funding and identify roads requiring intervention, but contractors were expected to execute the projects in line with agreed standards.

“Whatever played out yesterday, we had all the stakeholders there. And it’s important that even the contractor came out, even though he gave excuses, it showed a failure on their part,” he said.

The highway had experienced severe traffic congestion for nearly two weeks, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for prolonged periods and disrupting the movement of goods between Edo and Delta states.

The situation also affected traders and businesses that rely on the route to transport goods, particularly perishable products, with delays along the highway creating difficulties for those travelling between Benin City, Agbor and Asaba.

The worsening condition of the road had triggered calls for urgent intervention on the strategic highway, which serves as an important link between Edo and Delta states and facilitates the movement of people, goods and commercial activities.

Addressing the responsibilities of the various parties involved in road construction and rehabilitation, Dare said the government was responsible for identifying roads requiring attention and providing the necessary funds, while contractors were expected to carry out the work effectively.

“Government has a responsibility to identify the roads that need to be fixed. Government has a responsibility to provide the funding. And then, the next responsibility goes to the contractors to do what is necessary,” he said.

He said the government’s response to the crisis, led by David Umahi, Minister of Works, alongside members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders, demonstrated its willingness to intervene when infrastructure challenges became critical.

Umahi had inspected the affected road on Tuesday, where he apologised to motorists and commuters for the hardship caused by the condition of the highway.

Following the inspection, the minister directed steps towards the total reconstruction of the road, indicating that temporary palliative measures would not provide a permanent solution to the problems along the route.

Dare said the government’s response showed that the authorities were prepared to act swiftly when infrastructure challenges required immediate attention.

“What we saw yesterday, the Minister, the National Assembly members, and other key stakeholders going there in record time, right on the spot. And I think that’s what good governance is about, responding as quickly and as swiftly as possible, putting the blame where it is, and requesting for immediate action,” he said.

He, however, cautioned against using the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road crisis as a general assessment of the Federal Government’s performance on road infrastructure across the country.

Dare described the development as an isolated failure, while emphasising that the government had moved to address the immediate crisis and pursue a more permanent solution to the condition of the highway.