FG Set to Stop Ongoing Work on Benin-Asaba Road — Gives Reason

The Federal Government is set to stop the current work being carried out by the concessionaire handling the Benin-Asaba Road, following growing concerns over the quality and pace of work on the major highway.

The Federal Ministry of Works has accused the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited (BAECC) of failing to meet key obligations under its concession agreement and causing further deterioration of some sections of the road.

The development could see the current concessionaire removed from the project while the Federal Government brings in technically competent contractors to intervene on the troubled sections.

Federal Controller of Works in Edo State, Engr. Babatunde Tajudeen, said the ministry had proposed the mutual termination of the concession after identifying several alleged breaches in the execution of the project.

Why FG Wants the Current Work Stopped

The major concern raised by the government is not simply that the project is progressing slowly.

The Ministry of Works alleged that some of the work carried out by the concessionaire has actually worsened the condition of the highway.

Tajudeen said stable asphalt surfaces were completely scarified, exposing the underlying road foundation to excessive rainfall.

According to him, the exposed subgrade became oversaturated, contributing to further deterioration of the highway.

The ministry also accused the concessionaire of using unqualified personnel, lacking the required technical capacity, delivering substandard construction work and failing to properly manage traffic during the construction process.

The government has therefore questioned whether BAECC can complete the project within the approved Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation.

Umahi Had Earlier Ordered the Concessionaire Off the Site

The latest development follows an earlier confrontation between the Works Minister, David Umahi, and the concessionaire over the condition of the highway.

During a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City in August, Umahi said the concessionaire had failed to add value to the project after 16 months of work.

He directed that the company should be removed from the project site within the limits of the government’s legal rights and asked it to give written approval to enable the Federal Government to proceed with the proposed arrangement.

Umahi also ordered the concessionaire to clear obstructions on the highway and restore the free flow of traffic.

The minister specifically directed that removed asphalt be restored and that water being channelled onto the carriageway be redirected through proper stormwater arrangements.

FG Wants Other Contractors to Take Over

Stopping the current work does not mean the Federal Government intends to abandon the Benin-Asaba Road.

Instead, the ministry says it wants competent contractors to intervene and address the damaged sections.

The Federal Government had previously indicated that it had assembled contractors that could intervene on the highway, with the aim of addressing the immediate problems while the concession dispute is resolved.

The ministry has also asked BAECC to reinstate asphalt removed from the road and allow technically competent Federal Ministry of Works contractors to carry out necessary intervention.

This means the government’s immediate priority is to prevent the highway from deteriorating further while a decision is reached on the future of the concession.

What Happens to the Benin-Asaba Road Now?

The Benin-Asaba Road is a 125-kilometre highway stretching from Ring Road Roundabout in Benin City to Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State.

It is one of the major routes connecting Edo and Delta states and serves motorists traveling between the South-South, South-East and other parts of Nigeria.

The road was concessioned under the Federal Government’s Highway Development and Management Initiative, with BAECC expected to undertake its reconstruction and expansion under a long-term arrangement.

The latest government position means the immediate focus is now on who should handle the road and how quickly the damaged sections can be restored.

The Federal Government says it is exploring legitimate options to resolve the concession dispute while reducing the hardship being experienced by motorists.

For motorists using the Benin-Asaba corridor, the key issue is therefore not simply whether the current contractor remains on the project. It is whether the government can quickly replace or supplement the current arrangement with contractors capable of restoring the highway and completing the work to the required standard.

For now, the Federal Government’s position is that the present situation cannot continue and that intervention is necessary to prevent further deterioration of the strategic road.