The Federal Government has ordered a review of concession agreements covering major roads across the country following the deteriorating condition of the Benin-Asaba Expressway and the prolonged gridlock on the highway.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the directive on Tuesday after inspecting the affected road, where motorists and commuters have endured days of traffic congestion and hardship.
Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), accusing the concessionaire of lacking the technical capacity required to properly execute the project.
The minister particularly faulted the company for removing existing asphalt on some sections of the highway despite warnings from the Ministry of Works, saying the action contributed to the worsening condition of the road.
According to Umahi, the highway was not in its current state when it was handed over to the concessionaire, adding that the company could have faced arrest for damaging public infrastructure.
He warned that the Federal Government would take appropriate action against concessionaires whose activities endanger road users or compromise public infrastructure.
Umahi said the government would engage competent contractors to undertake emergency repairs and restore the affected sections to a motorable condition.
He also announced plans for a stakeholders’ meeting to determine the way forward on the project and address the challenges affecting the highway.
The minister apologised to commuters who had been stranded by the gridlock, saying President Bola Tinubu had directed the Ministry of Works to take all necessary steps to resolve the situation.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government was reviewing the process through which road concessions were awarded, stressing that the technical competence and capacity of concessionaires must be properly assessed before contracts are granted.
The Benin-Asaba Expressway was concessioned to BAECC in 2025 for reconstruction and expansion into a 10-lane highway.
The project is scheduled for completion in September 2027, with the concessionaire expected to recover its investment through tolling and maintain the road for 25 years.
However, BAECC Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Daramola, attributed the challenges to persistent rainfall and the heavy volume of traffic on the highway.
Daramola said the company had expanded some portions of the road to eight lanes and carried out palliative works but faced difficulties constructing side drains due to continuous vehicular movement.
He explained that some completed sections had to be reopened before they were fully cured to ease traffic, resulting in the need to repeat portions of the work.
The project consultant’s representative, Engineer Toyin Akinlapa, however, accused BAECC of failing to follow professional advice, particularly regarding drainage construction.
Akinlapa said the concessionaire was advised to prioritise drainage facilities before proceeding with other aspects of the project but failed to comply.
Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, backed the proposed review of the concession agreement, saying Nigerians should not be subjected to hardship as a result of poorly managed road concessions.
He also called for immediate palliative measures to restore traffic flow and ease the suffering of motorists.
Governor Monday Okpebholo commended President Tinubu for his intervention, saying the Federal Government’s response demonstrated concern for motorists and residents affected by the prolonged gridlock.
