Tinubu ordered the redesign, reconstruction of the Benin bypass and other roads

Following public outrage over the condition of the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road which left travelers stranded for days, President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday ordered the total redesign and reconstruction of the road as well as other major federal highways across Edo State and adjoining corridors to ease the suffering of travellers, and reduce hardship on the roads.

As part of efforts towards this, the Minister of Public Works, David Umahi, inspected the troubled Benin-Agbor-Asaba road in Edo State, while the Minister of State for Public Works, Bello Goronyo, visited Ifaki-Oye-Kabba and Efon-Iwaraja roads in Ekiti State, where motorists and citizens are experiencing prolonged delays and difficulties.

Umahi apologized to the passengers and took responsibility for the condition of the Benin-Asaba road, while condemning the concessionaire who handled the reconstruction of the road. He ordered steps towards total reconstruction of the highway, and stressed that palliative work would not be enough to solve the problem.

Umahi condemned the Benin-Asaba Highway Concession Company for what he described as poor handling of the Benin-Asaba highway.

The toll road was granted a concession to BAECC in 2025 for reconstruction and expansion from four to 10 lanes.

In October last year, the company said it would complete the 10-lane highway within the specified time frame.

However, Umahi said the concessionaire should be arrested for damaging public property, and accused the company of manipulating the process to secure the contract.

He said, “I apologize to the commuters plying this road. NDDC is willing to intervene. I am disappointed with the concessionaires. I take full responsibility for their mistake and destruction of public assets.

“The Ministry of Works does not allow the removal of asphalt. We begged them not to remove it. The concessionaire should be arrested for damaging public property. This road was not like this when it was handed over. I instructed the ministry to arrest any concessionaire who removed asphalt from the existing road.”

Speaking to BAECC Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Daramola, Umahi accused the company of manipulating the process to get the contract and questioned its technical capacity to handle the project.

He said, “You manipulated the process to get the job. You had no knowledge of road building. You had no idea what you were doing. You had no technical staff or competence.

“The president has directed us to do whatever it takes to repair this road. The law exists and overrides the public interest. This is also the government’s fault for not knowing the competence of the concessionaire. You are learning how to do construction on our road. This is dangerous.

“This is the highest level of provocation. It is very unfortunate when people cannot pass through the road. We have competent contractors who we will ask to restore the road. We will ask CCETC to repair the bad spots in Asaba.

“I am disappointed. The President has directed me to redesign all the roads from Kogi to Warri and around Edo State. These roads must be made with concrete pavement. We need total reconstruction of these roads and not palliative roads.”

Meanwhile, the BAECC CEO blamed heavy rainfall and heavy vehicular traffic on the highway for the slow pace of work.

He said the volume of traffic made it difficult for the company to build side channels while keeping the road open for motorists.

He said, “We widened the road to eight lanes. We carried out palliative work for several months. We grappled with the weather as much as we wanted to maintain the scope of work. We wish our palliative work would have been completed long ago.

“We had to choose between making side channels or eliminating heavy traffic. We were forced to open the road when it wasn’t ready. We had to work on it again. This is a concession road and we funded this road with our money.

“How do we start with a waterway when there is so much traffic? We have tried to involve all parties and the community. We are determined to ensure that this road is completed. Our reputation must be maintained.”

Representative of the project consultant, Toyin Akinlapa, said BAECC failed to heed instructions to implement the project according to specifications.

He said, “The concessionaires did not heed our instructions. We told them to do the waterworks first, but they ignored us and this affected the roads. The company had some challenges in their technical team.”

Chairman of the House of Representatives Works Committee, Akin Alabi, who is part of the inspection team, has urged President Bola Tinubu to review the agreement with the concessionaire.

He said, “We have to review all these contracts. We cannot afford to pay concessionaires who will give us problems. The community wants to see a good way. There must be palliative measures. Let’s find a solution so that the community can move.”