From left: Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi; Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo; Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, representing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; Managing Director of Hitech Construction Company, Dany Abboud, during the official flag-off of the emergency repairs of the Benin–Asaba Expressway, code-named “Operation Rescue Benin–Asaba Road,” by the Federal Ministry of Works in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday. Photo: Bripin Enarusai
Oborevwori the deplorable condition of the highway had subjected motorists, commuters and businesses to prolonged hardship.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to commence emergency repairs on the Benin-Asaba Road, describing the intervention as a major step towards restoring the critical economic corridor.
Oborevwori, who spoke through the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, at the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” exercise in Benin City on Thursday, said the deplorable condition of the highway had subjected motorists, commuters and businesses to prolonged hardship.
Aniagwu said the road was particularly important to Delta and Edo states, describing it as a major artery linking communities, commercial centres and the South-South and South-East regions. He attributed its deterioration largely to the failure of the concessionaire to meet the objectives of the concession agreement.
“We are therefore delighted that the Federal Government has today deemed it fit to give life back to this important road corridor, which connects not only the commercial centres of the South-East but also the burgeoning business centres in Delta and Edo states,” he said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, for the intervention and urged the Federal Government and contractors to expedite the work.
“We look forward to seeing the work commence in earnest and to having this important road restored to a standard that will ease the movement of people and goods, revive commercial activities and improve the economic fortunes of our people,” Aniagwu said.
The commissioner also highlighted Delta’s collaboration with the Federal Government on federal roads, citing the state’s intervention on the Warri-Sapele Road, where it constructed the section from the U-turn at the Spare Parts Market to Ohore Junction with concrete rigid pavement.
He said Delta would continue to support efforts to address critical infrastructure challenges and commended Umahi for the intervention on the First Niger Bridge, expressing optimism about its reopening after major rehabilitation works.
Speaking at the event, Umahi said the emergency rehabilitation was not awarded as a conventional contract but involved the deployment of equipment hired from contractors operating along the corridor, including Hi-Tech, CCECC and CBC.
He said the temporary intervention was expected to restore the road within four weeks, while President Tinubu had directed the redesign of the entire 136-kilometre Benin-Asaba dual carriageway with reinforced concrete pavement for long-term reconstruction.
Umahi said the Federal Government had offered the concessionaire three options to continue with the project, but the options failed, prompting the ministry to intervene in the public interest.
He also alleged that the concessionaire lacked the engineering and financial capacity to execute the project and had breached provisions of the concession agreement.
According to him, the emergency works would commence from the Edo axis, with particular attention to the Benin Bypass, while supervising engineers would be deployed to different sections to monitor the work and ensure compliance with standards.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, thanked President Tinubu for ordering the intervention and urged those handling the project to ensure quality, adherence to specifications and timely completion.
The Benin-Asaba Road, a major transportation corridor linking the South-South and South-East with other parts of the country, has suffered failed sections and severe gridlock in recent months, disrupting the movement of people and goods.
The emergency intervention is expected to provide immediate relief to motorists while the planned redesign and long-term reconstruction of the corridor proceeds.
