The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has apologised to residents and commuters in Edo and Delta states over the deplorable condition of the Benin-Sapele Road, assuring road users that urgent measures would be taken to restore the highway.
Umahi also ordered the arrest of contractors, concessionaires and other persons found removing asphalt from federal roads without authorisation.
The minister gave the directive on Tuesday in Benin during an inspection of major road projects across Edo State.
He commended youths in the state for remaining peaceful despite the hardship caused by the deteriorating road, saying their restraint had helped prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the company handling the road under a concession arrangement, alleging that it lacked the technical capacity required to execute the project effectively.
He said he had personally witnessed the removal of asphalt from the road during an earlier inspection with the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and had directed the contractor to stop the practice.
According to the minister, the Ministry of Works does not authorise contractors to remove asphalt from federal roads indiscriminately, describing unauthorised removal as a form of destruction of public infrastructure.
He subsequently directed ministry controllers across the country to arrest any contractor or concessionaire found removing asphalt from federal roads without the necessary approval.
Umahi said the poor handling of the project had subjected residents and commuters to severe hardship, stressing that the Federal Government had a responsibility to ensure that companies awarded road concessions had the technical competence to deliver them.
He further questioned the concessionaire’s suitability to handle the project, alleging that the company did not have a sufficient record of competence and integrity before taking over the Benin-Agbor Road.
The minister said President Bola Tinubu was aware of the difficulties faced by road users and had directed the Ministry of Works to take all necessary steps to restore the road and alleviate the suffering of affected communities.
He explained that although concession agreements were governed by law, the government could intervene in the overriding public interest where necessary to protect citizens and critical infrastructure.
Umahi reiterated his apology to residents of Edo and Delta, as well as other motorists and commuters affected by the condition of the road.
He assured road users that rehabilitation would commence immediately in accordance with the President’s directive, adding that the welfare and safety of Nigerians remained a priority for the Federal Government.
The minister also commended Governor Okpebholo for his commitment to infrastructure development and his intervention in the rehabilitation of federal roads in Edo.
In his remarks, Okpebholo appealed to residents and youths in affected communities to remain patient and peaceful while efforts were made to address the situation.
The governor recalled the poor condition of the Benin-Ekpoma Road, saying President Tinubu had promised to reconstruct the road following their meeting and had subsequently fulfilled the commitment.
He stressed that Edo’s strategic position as a gateway connecting several parts of the country made stability in the state important to national economic activities.
Okpebholo warned that prolonged unrest in Edo could have wider consequences, given the state’s importance as a major transportation corridor.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the concessionaire, Samuel Daramola, attributed the slow pace of work to heavy rainfall.
Daramola said the company had undertaken palliative measures to keep traffic moving while work continued on the road.
He explained that one of the company’s first interventions after taking over the Benin-Agbor Road project was to widen the highway.
According to him, the company also embarked on emergency repairs to address numerous potholes and improve traffic flow for commuters pending more extensive rehabilitation work.
