By Mokobia Rita
ASABA/Nigeria: The Federal Government is moving to ease the worsening traffic and road conditions along the Benin-Asaba Highway, with Works Minister, Engr. David Umahi, giving China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) 14 days to restore damaged sections of the road in Delta State.
Umahi issued the directive on Thursday during an inspection of the Asaba axis of the Second Niger Bridge access road, where he expressed concern over the condition of the highway and the difficulties confronting motorists, particularly around Ubulu-Okiti and Onicha-Ugbo.
The minister ordered CCECC to restore service lanes where asphalt had been removed and undertake emergency repairs on sections between Chainage 103 and 105 and between Chainage 106 and 107.
He said the affected portions covered about four kilometres of dual carriageway and required urgent attention to improve traffic movement and reduce the hardship faced by road users.
Umahi said construction work should not be allowed to worsen the condition of existing roads or impose avoidable hardship on Nigerians.
“I am giving you 14 days to fix the access, the service lane you removed the asphalt. You have to fix it immediately, whether you are paid or not,” he said.
The minister explained that the Federal Ministry of Works had the technical capacity to undertake the repairs but had been restrained by the concession agreement governing the Benin-Asaba Highway.
He said the Federal Government had previously raised concerns with the concessionaire over the condition of sections of the highway but had been cautious about directly intervening because of the contractual arrangement.
Umahi, however, said the situation could no longer be allowed to continue, particularly as motorists were experiencing prolonged delays on the route.
He also faulted the restoration of sections where asphalt had been removed between kilometres eight and 15, alleging that some newly laid asphalt failed within 24 hours.
The minister said the Federal Government would explore all lawful options necessary to protect road users and prevent the condition of the highway from further affecting economic activities in Delta, Edo and other parts of the country.
His latest directive came against the backdrop of growing federal concern over the performance of the concession arrangement on the 125-kilometre Benin-Asaba Highway. On August 26, Umahi had ordered Federal Controllers of Works and Engineering Representatives to arrest contractors found removing asphalt from existing carriageways without authorisation.
At a separate stakeholders’ engagement in Benin, the minister also criticised the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), saying the Federal Government had been disadvantaged by aspects of the concession arrangement and questioning the company’s capacity to deliver the road as required.
Umahi also inspected the access road to the Second Niger Bridge and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to completing the project.
He said the access road was necessary to ensure that the investment in the Second Niger Bridge delivered its intended benefits, particularly given the age of the existing Niger Bridge.
“The essence is to use that Second Niger Bridge. Because if the First Niger Bridge collapses, the beautiful job on the Second Niger Bridge will be rendered useless,” he said.
The access project, being executed by CCECC, has a contract value of about N148 billion and includes flyovers, bridges, culverts, dual carriageway and rigid pavement works.
Umahi said about 4.47 kilometres of the dual carriageway had been completed, representing approximately 26.7 per cent of the project, while work had also progressed on retaining walls, culverts and other structures.
He disclosed that funding previously provided through the NNPC tax-credit arrangement had stopped but said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved an alternative funding arrangement to prevent the project from being stalled.
The minister consequently urged CCECC to continue construction, assuring the company that funding would be provided.
“I encourage you to please go ahead, you will be paid,” he said.
Umahi warned that abandoning completed structures could expose them to erosion and eventually increase the cost of the project to government.
The Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori during the inspection, welcomed the federal intervention.
Aniagwu said the condition of the Benin-Asaba-Niger Bridge corridor, as well as the Benin-Warri route, had become a major concern for motorists and residents.
He said the minister’s decision to personally inspect the affected sections showed that the complaints of road users were receiving attention from the Federal Government.
The commissioner said the Delta State Government had also intervened at some points along the corridor, including a flyover project around Chainage 64 and 65.
He appealed to contractors handling other sections to accelerate construction ahead of the Yuletide period, when traffic volumes are expected to increase.
Aniagwu said completion of the ongoing projects would improve movement between Delta and Edo states, reduce congestion and support economic activities along the corridor.
The Director of Highways, Bridges and Design in the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Saidu Musa, said the Second Niger Bridge access project was awarded in March 2025 at a cost of N148 billion.
Musa put the completed dual carriageway at about 4.4 kilometres and said work was continuing on retaining walls, culverts and other components.
He attributed the slower progress partly to funding constraints but commended CCECC for the quality of work achieved so far.
