Benin-Asabar road: Minister Umahi heaps blames on concessionaire 

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has criticised the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC) over what he described as the poor handling of the Benin-Asaba highway.

Umahi, who expressed displeasure Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the road in Benin City, Edo state, accused the concessionaire of lacking the technical competence required to execute a major highway project.

The minister was particularly angered by the removal of existing asphalt without the construction of adequate side drains before work commenced, saying the action had contributed to the deterioration of the road.

His assessment followed mounting complaints over the deplorable condition of the highway, with motorists reportedly stranded for days at different failed portions of the road.

The Benin-Asaba highway was concessioned to BAECC in 2025 for its transformation into a 10-lane expressway. 

The concessionaire had, in October 2025, assured that the project would be completed within the agreed time frame.

However, Umahi said the manner in which the project was being handled had raised serious concerns, adding that the concessionaire would have been arrested for allegedly destroying public property.

He said, “the Ministry of Works had not authorised the removal of asphalt from the existing road and directed officials to take action against any concessionaire found engaging in such practice.

“I commend Governor Monday Okpebholo for his intervention in many federal roads across the state. He is not saying this is a federal or State road. I apologise to commuters plying this road.

“I am disappointed with the concessionaire. I take full responsibility for their misdeed and destruction of public assets,” the minister said.

Umahemphasised that the ministry had repeatedly cautioned the company against removing the existing asphalt, adding, “the concessionaire should have been arrested for destroying public property. This road was not like this when it was handed over.”

Addressing the Chief Executive Officer of BAECC, Samuel Daramola, Umahi accused the company of manipulating the process through which it secured the concession and questioned its technical capacity to execute the project.

“You have no knowledge of road construction. You don’t know what you are doing. You have no technical staff or competence. The President has directed us to do whatever is possible to fix this road,” he said.

He further disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed the redesign of roads from Kogi through Edo to Warri, as well as other roads around Edo State, with concrete pavement being considered for the reconstruction.

Responding to the criticism, Daramola attributed the slow pace of work to heavy rainfall and the volume of traffic on the highway.

Daramola maintained that BAECC was committed to completing the project, noting that the concessionaire was financing the road under the terms of the concession.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, who was also present, commended President Tinubu for responding to the concerns surrounding the road.

Okpebholo said the President’s prompt intervention demonstrated concern for the plight of residents and motorists using the highway.