Motorists and passengers travelling along the Benin–Agbor–Asaba highway have expressed frustration over its deteriorating condition, with some road users reportedly spending several days trapped in traffic.
Minister of Works David Umahi addressed the situation during an inspection of the highway. He criticised the Benin–Asaba Expressway Concession Company, BAECC, over its handling of the project and questioned the company’s technical capacity to execute the work.
Umahi said the removal of existing asphalt, despite instructions from the Ministry of Works, contributed to the deterioration of the road. He apologised to affected commuters and said the Federal Government would bring in a competent contractor to undertake emergency repairs and make the highway passable.
BAECC Chief Executive Officer Samuel Daramola attributed the slow progress to persistent rainfall and heavy vehicular traffic. He said the company had expanded sections of the highway and carried out palliative work but faced difficulties constructing drainage facilities while keeping the busy road open.
However, project consultant Toyin Akinlapa said the concessionaire failed to follow instructions to prioritise drainage construction before proceeding with other aspects of the project. He said this contributed to the worsening condition of the highway.
The Benin–Asaba highway was concessioned to BAECC in 2025 for reconstruction and expansion into 10 lanes, with completion scheduled for September 2027. The Federal Government has now ordered a review of road-concession arrangements as commuters and residents call for urgent intervention to restore movement along the corridor.