Tinubu Orders Reconstruction of Major Federal Highways Amidst Worsening Conditions

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the comprehensive redesign and reconstruction of the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road and other critical federal highways across Edo State and its neighboring regions. This directive comes as the Federal Government seeks to tackle the deteriorating state of roads, which has significantly disrupted transportation, caused vehicle damage, and inflated the cost of doing business throughout the country.

The announcement followed an inspection of the troubled Benin-Agbor-Asaba road by the Minister of Works, David Umahi. During his visit, Umahi apologized to commuters for the road's condition and accepted responsibility for the issues. He specifically condemned the concessionaire responsible for the road's reconstruction, stating that palliative measures would be insufficient and ordering a complete overhaul of the highway.

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I commend Governor Monday Okpebholo for his intervention in lots of federal roads across the state. He is not saying this is a federal or state road. I apologise to commuters plying this road. The NDDC is willing to intervene. I am disappointed with the concessionaire. I take full responsibility for their misdeed and destruction of public assets.

Further investigations revealed that federal roads nationwide are in a dilapidated state. The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, also inspected the Ifaki-Oye-Kabba and Efon-Iwaraja roads in Ekiti State, where motorists and residents have experienced prolonged hardship and delays. The Benin-Agbor-Asaba road itself, particularly the Benin axis, was found to be in a terrible condition, although traffic gridlock had eased slightly from previous weeks.

Minister Umahi expressed disappointment with the Benin Expressway was concessioned to BAECC in 2025 for reconstruction and expansion from four to 10 lanes. The company had, in October last year, said it would complete the 10-lane highway within the stipulated timeframe. However, Umahi stated that the concessionaire should have been arrested for destroying public property, accusing the company of manipulating the process to secure the contract. He noted that the road was not in such a state when handed over, and the Ministry of Works had advised against removing the existing asphalt layer. The NDDC has expressed willingness to intervene in the road's repair.

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The Ministry of Works does not allow removal of asphalt. We begged them not to remove it. The concessionaire should have been arrested for destroying public property. This road was not like this when it was handed over.