Benin-Asaba Road Crisis: Umahi Moves to Rescue Motorists, Faults Concessionaire

The Federal Government has moved to urgently address the worsening condition of the Benin-Asaba Expressway, with Minister of Works, David Umahi, directing immediate measures to restore free movement and ease the hardship faced by motorists along the strategic highway.

Umahi issued the directives on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Edo State Government House in Benin City, convened to find solutions to the prolonged gridlock and deteriorating condition of the 125-kilometre Benin-Asaba corridor.

The minister expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), accusing the concessionaire of failing to meet the required engineering standards and lacking the capacity to deliver the project effectively.

He said the current condition of the road was unacceptable, particularly because the concessionaire had been handling the project for about 16 months.

Umahi directed that all blockages obstructing traffic should be removed immediately and that the affected portions of the highway be restored to a motorable condition.

He also ordered the Federal Ministry of Works and the Independent Engineer to assess the work already carried out on the road, including identifying what he described as “negative work” arising from the removal of existing asphalt.

The minister further directed that removed asphalt be reinstated and that water flowing onto the carriageway be redirected through proper drainage infrastructure.

He said the government was prepared to engage competent contractors to rehabilitate the critically damaged sections of the highway if the concessionaire could not demonstrate the technical capacity required to execute the project.

Umahi had earlier appealed to BAECC to give the Federal Government written approval to bring in competent contractors, saying the intervention was necessary to prevent further deterioration and escalating hardship for road users.

The minister also warned that contractors who completely remove asphalt from existing roads without proper arrangements could face arrest, describing such practices as unacceptable and damaging to public infrastructure.

Government considers concession review

The crisis has also triggered fresh scrutiny of the concession arrangement for the highway.

The Federal Government is considering reviewing the concession agreement following widespread complaints about the condition of the road and the pace of work.

Umahi said the government was examining different options, including bringing in a more competent contractor, while ensuring that the concession arrangement did not continue to expose motorists and host communities to unnecessary hardship.

The concessionaire has attributed some of the difficulties to heavy traffic and persistent rainfall along the corridor, while project officials have raised concerns about construction methodology and drainage.

Governor, lawmakers condemn situation

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, expressed disappointment over the condition of the highway, saying the state of the road was unacceptable after more than a year of construction activity.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, also described the situation as unacceptable and called for greater scrutiny of road concession agreements across the country.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, similarly supported measures to review concession arrangements and provide immediate palliative intervention on the affected highway.

The Benin-Asaba Expressway is a major transportation corridor linking Edo and Delta states and connecting the South-South with the South-East and other parts of the country.

The worsening condition of the highway has caused prolonged traffic congestion, increased travel times and heightened hardship for motorists, commuters and communities along the route.

The Federal Government has assured road users that urgent steps are being taken to restore the affected sections and return the highway to safe and smoother passage.