Federal Government and NDDC Begin Reconstruction of Failed Benin-Sapele Expressway

Motorists using the badly damaged Benin-Sapele Expressway may soon get relief as reconstruction has begun in Delta State under a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Chiedu Ebie, chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s governing board, launched the work at Amukpe Roundabout in Sapele. He said two contractors would work from opposite ends to speed up completion, describing the expressway as a critical national economic corridor connecting the South-South with other parts of Nigeria.

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The Benin-Sapele Expressway was a critical national economic corridor linking the South-South with other parts of the country.

The 15.4-kilometer reconstruction will use rigid concrete pavement. The NDDC has engaged China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Ronin and Fan Limited for the work. Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku apologized to residents, community leaders and commuters for the hardship caused by the road’s condition.

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Relief is on the way.

Ogbuku said the intervention followed complaints and videos showing the road’s state that reached the president. The commission worked with the Federal Ministry of Works, obtained the project design and secured approval for immediate action.

The NDDC also said it had begun steps to terminate and re-award the contract for the Abraka-Obiaruku-Abavo-Agbor Road after problems with the previous contractor. Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori welcomed the expressway project, saying cooperation among governments and agencies could address infrastructure problems in the Niger Delta. He said the state had spent more than 300 billion naira on federal road corridors, including dual carriageways, bridges and flyovers.

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The intervention is a major boost to connectivity, economic activities and the wellbeing of residents and motorists.