Umahi Heads to Benin-Asaba Road, Vows to Tackle Gridlock

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced plans to visit the troubled Benin-Asaba Road on Tuesday amid mounting complaints, protests and worsening gridlock caused by the deteriorating condition of the federal highway.

Umahi made the disclosure during the flag-off ceremony for the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, according to a video shared on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze.

The minister said he would meet with independent engineers, the concessionaire handling the road project and the Edo State Government to find an immediate solution to the worsening situation.

“Tomorrow, we are off to Benin-Asaba. I want Nigerians to be assured that when we get there, we’ll solve that problem,” Umahi said.

He attributed the crisis to the Federal Government’s efforts to involve the private sector in road development through concession arrangements.

According to him, the concessionaire removed more than 30 kilometres of asphalt from the highway but failed to complete the rehabilitation work, leaving motorists and residents to bear the consequences.

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“But this concessionaire came and removed over 30 km of the asphalt and threw it away and threw it in the yard and left. And today, people are suffering,” he said.

Umahi said the ministry would hold a “robust engagement” with the independent engineers, concessionaire, ministry lawyers and the Edo State Government, including Governor Monday Okpebholo, to resolve the crisis.

The planned intervention comes amid growing anger over the Benin-Agbor section of the highway, where residents, motorists and transport workers have staged protests over prolonged gridlock and the poor condition of the road.

The situation has reportedly left motorists and travellers stranded for days, while videos circulating online showed vehicles trapped in heavy traffic and some travellers spending nights in their vehicles.

The minister also disclosed that the Minister of State for Works would visit the Ifaki-Ado-Ekiti Road, where part of the federal highway has reportedly collapsed, causing severe congestion and leaving articulated vehicles stranded.

Umahi said President Bola Tinubu directed the ministry in 2024 to take over the project after inspecting its condition.

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He added that the road had since been redesigned, with the minister of state expected to submit a report following his inspection for onward transmission to the President.

“We have redesigned it, and when he goes, he’s going to bring up a report, which we will submit to Mr President,” Umahi said.