FG assures urgent attention to Benin-Asaba Highway

The federal government said it was taking urgent steps to repair the deteriorating Benin-Asaba Highway.

It said it was exploring alternative arrangements to restore the 125-kilometre corridor and end the hardship experienced by motorists on the route.

The road was to be expanded to a 10-lane highway by the Concessionaire, the Benin–Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), with the first phase to be completed in March next year.

But the road remained a nightmare for motorists 18 months after work began.

Edo State Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Babatunde Tajudeen, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City, said the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, was determined to ensure the road received urgent attention.

Engr. Babatunde said the project had faced serious challenges, particularly in recent months, causing severe hardship for motorists and residents along the corridor.

He said issues identified by Umahi included the complete scarification of portions of the existing stable asphaltic surface, the engagement of allegedly unqualified and professionally incompetent personnel, a lack of capacity to deliver the project, an extremely slow pace of work, substandard work quality, and poor traffic management.

On the status of the concession agreement with BAECC, the Federal Controller clarified that the contract had not been terminated under the defined legal and contractual provisions.

He said the Minister had proposed a mutual termination of the concession arrangement, subject to the necessary legal and contractual processes, in light of the challenges surrounding the project’s execution.

Babatunde noted that no meaningful intervention had been recorded on affected sections of the road two weeks after the Minister’s engagement with the concessionaire and other stakeholders.

He said efforts were underway to find an alternative solution within the Ministry’s legitimate powers to ensure work resumed on the road.