Omanghana
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Works to immediately redesign and undertake the total reconstruction of the Benin Bypass, the Benin–Agbor–Asaba Expressway and other important federal road corridors serving Edo State and neighbouring regions.
Minister of Works David Umahi announced the directive during an inspection of the affected roads, where he assessed their condition and the difficulties confronting motorists, commercial transport operators and freight companies.
Umahi said the federal government had decided to pursue a comprehensive reconstruction programme instead of continuing with temporary repairs that fail to address the underlying structural problems.
Roads to Be Rebuilt With Concrete
Under the proposed redesign, the affected corridors will be reconstructed using continuously reinforced concrete pavement. The intervention is expected to cover strategic routes extending from Kogi State through Edo and towards Warri.
According to the minister, concrete pavement offers greater durability and is better suited to roads that carry large volumes of heavy vehicles. The government believes the approach will reduce repeated deterioration and limit the need for frequent repairs.
The project will involve more than resurfacing damaged sections. Engineers are expected to review the road design, drainage systems, pavement strength and other structural features necessary to produce a lasting solution.
Government Rejects Temporary Repairs
The administration has concluded that routine patching and other palliative measures cannot resolve the worsening condition of the roads.
Several sections of the Benin Bypass and Benin–Agbor–Asaba Expressway have deteriorated considerably, contributing to severe traffic congestion and prolonged travel times. Commuters and freight vehicles are sometimes left stranded for hours, disrupting economic activity and the movement of goods between southern and central Nigeria.
The corridors are vital links connecting Edo State with Delta, Kogi, Ekiti and other parts of the country. Their poor condition has increased transportation costs, placed additional pressure on vehicles and raised safety concerns among road users.
Umahi said the Tinubu administration wanted the roads rebuilt to a standard capable of supporting long-term commercial and passenger traffic.
Benin–Asaba Concession Under Review
The works minister also expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the concessionaire responsible for the Benin–Asaba corridor.
He indicated that the government was reassessing the existing agreement, alongside the technical and financial capacity of the contractor. The review is intended to ensure that companies handling major federal road projects possess the expertise, equipment and resources required to complete them successfully.
Umahi maintained that contractual arrangements would not be allowed to stand in the way of the public interest, particularly when delays or poor performance continue to create hardship for road users.
The review could lead to changes in the project’s implementation structure if the current concessionaire is found incapable of meeting the government’s expectations.
Work Begins on Other Regional Corridors
The federal government is simultaneously mobilizing contractors to other distressed roads connecting Ekiti and Kogi states.
Interventions have been initiated along the Ifaki Oye Kabba and Efon–Iwaraja routes, which are important for regional travel, trade and agricultural transportation.
Addressing these roads at the same time is expected to improve connectivity across the region and prevent traffic from simply shifting from one damaged corridor to another.
The wider programme reflects the administration’s decision to replace short-term road maintenance with more durable reconstruction. Once implemented, the projects are expected to reduce gridlock, improve road safety and strengthen the movement of passengers and goods across Edo State and adjoining regions.
Source: Omanghana
