The Federal Government has moved to confront the deepening crisis on the Benin–Asaba Highway, with the Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, ordering the immediate arrest of any contractor who removes asphalt from an existing carriageway.
Umahi issued the directive during an on-the-spot inspection of the 125- kilometre highway on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, after witnessing the severe hardship caused to motorists and host communities by the ongoing reconstruction and expansion works.
Accompanied by lawmakers, the Edo State Governor, presidential aides, the Niger Delta Development Commission and infrastructure regulators, the minister accused the Benin–Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited of poor execution, unprofessional conduct and an unacceptably slow pace of work.
“You are not adhering to engineering best practices in road construction, and your methodology is adversely impacting road users, host neighbourhoods and the pace of work,” Umahi told the concessionaire.
The minister also condemned the removal of asphalt from sections of the highway that were still in good condition, warning that the practice was damaging the stabilised road foundation.
He dismissed the concessionaire’s explanations—including heavy traffic and torrential rainfall—as “unprofessional and untenable excuses.”
The Benin–Asaba corridor is a vital link between Nigeria’s South-East, South- South and parts of the South-West, carrying passengers, freight and commercial traffic between major economic centres.
Its concession was approved in 2023 under the Federal Government’s Highway Development and Management Initiative, with construction scheduled for completion by April 2028.
Umahi apologised to Nigerians for the suffering on the route and promised swift relief. He said a competent contractor would be engaged immediately to repair the worst sections and restore the smooth flow of traffic.
He assured residents and motorists that President Bola Tinubu was aware of their plight and committed to finding a solution.
The chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Works described the conditions they witnessed as “an unacceptable disaster” and pledged a nationwide review of concession agreements to ensure stricter compliance.
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo also appealed for patience, saying a lasting solution was now being pursued.
A follow-up meeting involving all stakeholders was scheduled for August 26 at the Edo State Government House.
During the inspection, the minister also commended progress on road projects along the Benin–Sapele–Warri route.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work on 23-kilometre stretch being reconstructed with continuous reinforced concrete pavement, while a separate 10-kilometre section had reached about 25 per cent completion.
The NDDC further pledged to reconstruct a severely damaged 15.4-kilometre stretch near the Edo–Delta border.
