Works Minister David Umahi has announced plans to visit the Benin-Asaba road on Tuesday amid widespread complaints, protests and severe traffic congestion caused by the deteriorating federal highway.
Umahi made the disclosure during the flag-off of the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, according to a video shared on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze.
He said he would meet independent engineers, the project concessionaire and the state government to resolve the crisis.“Tomorrow, we are off to Benin-Asaba. I want Nigerians to be assured that when we get there, we’ll solve that problem,” Umahi stated.
The minister attributed the road’s poor condition to the Federal Government’s efforts to involve the private sector in infrastructure development through concession arrangements.He alleged that the concessionaire removed more than 30 kilometres of asphalt without completing the required rehabilitation work. “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,” he said.
Umahi added that he would hold robust engagements with the independent engineers, the concessionaire, the ministry’s lawyers and the Edo State Government, including discussions with the governor.
The planned inspection follows mounting public outcry over the Benin-Agbor section of the highway. Residents, motorists and transport workers have staged protests over prolonged gridlock and the road’s terrible state. Videos circulating online show travellers stranded for days, with some forced to spend nights in their vehicles.
In a related development, Umahi said his Minister of State would inspect the Ifaki-Ado-Ekiti road, where a collapsed section has caused severe congestion and left articulated vehicles stranded. He noted that President Bola Tinubu directed the ministry in 2024 to take over the project after assessing its condition. The road has since been redesigned, and a report will be submitted to the President following the visit.
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