The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has inspected the deteriorating Benin-Agbor-Asaba Road following growing concerns over the severe hardship experienced by motorists and commuters using the major corridor.
Umahi’s visit followed a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently intervene in critical sections of the road where worsening conditions had reportedly left travellers stranded for several days.
The minister expressed concern over the situation and apologised to motorists and commuters affected by the condition of the road. He said the Federal Government was committed to restoring movement along the corridor while working towards permanent solutions.
According to Umahi, President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Works to take immediate corrective measures to ease the difficulties faced by road users.
The minister travelled to Benin, Edo State, with members of the National Assembly Works Committees. He was also expected to engage representatives of the Edo and Delta State governments, the Niger Delta Development Commission and other stakeholders on measures to address the road crisis.
Umahi stressed that the government’s intervention would go beyond temporary repairs. He said immediate remedial works would be accompanied by efforts to develop lasting solutions for the strategic corridor.
The development comes amid mounting concerns over the condition of major highways across the country, particularly roads linking commercial centres and states in the South-South region.
The Benin-Agbor-Asaba corridor is an important route for the movement of people and goods between Edo and Delta states and connects the region to other parts of the country. Its poor condition has therefore raised concerns among commuters, transport operators and businesses that depend on the route.
The Federal Government has also commenced intervention on the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti Road, with the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, directed to lead officials to assess the road and begin urgent remedial action.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Works recently flagged off the 56.5-kilometre dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road in Oyo State.
Umahi described the project as part of the government’s effort to move away from temporary solutions on major federal highways. He said the dualisation would improve connectivity, reduce travel time and support agricultural and commercial activities along the Lagos-Ogun-Oyo corridor.
The minister also linked improved road infrastructure to enhanced security, noting that better roads could help reduce vulnerabilities associated with poorly maintained routes.
The Ibadan-Ijebu Ode project, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council and awarded to JRB Construction Limited, is expected to improve transportation between Oyo and Ogun states.
As the Federal Government responds to complaints over deteriorating roads, attention will remain focused on whether the promised interventions can provide immediate relief to commuters while delivering durable infrastructure.
For motorists and residents along the Benin-Agbor-Asaba corridor, the immediate priority remains the restoration of smooth movement and reduction of the hardship caused by the road’s condition.
