Umahi to inspect Benin-Asaba road over worsening gridlock

Minister of Works David Umahi announced he will personally inspect the Benin-Asaba road on Tuesday, responding to widespread complaints, protests, and severe gridlock plaguing the federal highway. The minister's visit aims to address the worsening situation that has left motorists and travelers stranded for days.

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Tomorrow, we are off to Benin-Asaba. I want Nigerians to be assured that when we get there, we’ll solve that problem.

During the flag-off ceremony for the dualization of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, Umahi explained that the road's poor condition is not the Ministry of Works' fault but rather a consequence of the government's attempt to involve the private sector through concession arrangements. He specifically accused the current concessionaire of removing over 30 kilometers of asphalt from the road without undertaking the necessary rehabilitation, leaving the public to suffer.

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It’s not caused by Ministry of Works; it’s caused by, you know, our attempt to involve private sector in road development, as it’s done in other places.

Umahi detailed his plan to engage in "robust engagement" with independent engineers, the concessionaire, and ministry lawyers. He also intends to hold discussions with the Edo State government to collaboratively find a solution. This planned intervention comes amid mounting public frustration over the Benin-Agbor section of the highway, where residents and transport workers have staged protests against the prolonged gridlock and the road's dilapidated state.

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But this concessionaire came and removed over 30 km of the asphalt and threw it away and threw it in the yard and left. And today, people are suffering.

In addition to the Benin-Asaba road, the Minister of State for Works will visit the Ifaki-Ado-Ekiti road, where a section has also collapsed, causing significant traffic congestion and stranding articulated vehicles. Umahi mentioned that President Bola Tinubu had directed the ministry in 2024 to take over the Ifaki-Ado-Ekiti project after an inspection, and the road has since been redesigned.

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So, there’s going to be a robust engagement, even with the governor of Edo State.