The Federal Government has moved to end the involvement of the concessionaire handling the Benin-Asaba Expressway, following growing concerns over the road’s worsening condition and the hardship faced by commuters.
Minister of Works David Umahi made the position known during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin, Edo State, where he criticised the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC) over its handling of the project.
Umahi asked the concessionaire to formally write to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Works if it could no longer continue with the project.
He also directed the company to immediately clear obstructions along the highway and restore the free movement of vehicles.
The minister said the government could no longer accept the current situation, particularly as motorists and other road users have faced prolonged traffic gridlock along the corridor.
Umahi faults concessionaire’s work
Umahi expressed strong dissatisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the highway.
He said the concessionaire had failed to add meaningful value to the project and questioned its ability to complete the rehabilitation work to the required standard.
The minister also directed the Federal Ministry of Works to engage the project’s independent engineer.
The engineer is expected to assess and measure the work already completed. However, Umahi said the assessment must exclude what he described as “negative work.”
According to him, removing existing asphalt without following the project specifications would not count as completed work.
He added that the cost of repairing damage caused by such activities must also form part of the assessment.
“We do not believe that you currently have the capacity to reinstate the road,” Umahi said.
He stressed that the government had not prevented the concessionaire from working. However, he warned that continuing with the current approach could worsen the situation for commuters and create further public frustration.
Government plans emergency repairs
Meanwhile, Umahi directed that damaged sections of the highway should undergo urgent reconstruction under the supervision of the independent engineer.
He also ordered the concessionaire to provide a proper technical design for stormwater drainage.
According to the minister, effective drainage remains critical to preventing water from damaging the carriageway.
He further directed the company to restore removed asphalt and redirect water that has been channelled onto the road.
The objective, he said, is to restore normal traffic movement while the government works on a longer-term solution.
The Federal Government has also indicated that it is reviewing concession arrangements for major roads across the country following the problems experienced on the Benin-Asaba corridor. (Channels Television)
Concessionaire asks for more time
In response, Peterson Fabian, Head of Legal and Compliance at BAECC, appealed to the government and other stakeholders to allow the company more time to explore possible solutions.
Fabian argued that the discussions were not yet conclusive and called for greater collaboration among all parties involved.
He said the company remained open to further discussions aimed at finding a workable solution for the highway.
Lawmaker criticises concession arrangement
Senator Allwell Onyesoh, a member of the Senate Committee on Works, also criticised the state of the road.
He said commuters had described the situation as extremely difficult.
Onyesoh questioned whether the concession arrangement had been properly assessed before the project was awarded.
He argued that the situation should serve as a lesson for future road concessions in Nigeria, particularly when government awards major infrastructure projects to private operators.
Okpebholo expresses disappointment
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo also expressed disappointment over the condition of the Benin-Asaba road.
The governor said the situation had caused significant hardship for residents and other road users who depend on the highway.
He noted that the road had previously served as an important transportation link but had deteriorated considerably during the ongoing construction.
Okpebholo urged the Federal Government to take decisive action because of the road’s importance to Edo State and the wider region.
“This is a major road,” the governor said, stressing the need for a lasting solution.
Why the Benin-Asaba road matters
The Benin-Asaba Expressway is a major transport corridor linking Edo and Delta states. It also serves motorists travelling between the South-South, South-East and other parts of Nigeria.
The road was concessioned to BAECC in 2025 for expansion and modernisation. The project was designed to transform the corridor into a wider highway, with the concessionaire expected to finance the work and recover its investment through the agreed arrangement.
However, the project has faced mounting criticism as motorists complain about failed sections, traffic congestion and prolonged journey times.
The Federal Government has now promised urgent intervention as pressure grows to make the highway motorable and reduce the hardship faced by commuters.
Related: The Federal Government has also ordered a broader review of road concession agreements following the crisis on the Benin-Asaba corridor.
Official source: Federal Ministry of Works
