The federal government is putting the blame for the traffic chaos on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba expressway squarely on the contractor.
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, said on Channels TV on Wednesday that the contractor failed to meet its obligations, even as he noted that government acted fast once the problem worsened.
“Whatever played out yesterday, all the stakeholders were there. Even the contractor came out with excuses, and that showed failure on their part,” Dare said.
The road had been in a deplorable state for almost two weeks. The gridlock trapped commuters and truck drivers, and cut off the movement of goods between Edo and Delta states. Traders moving perishable goods were hit hardest, with many reporting losses.
The crisis forced urgent calls for intervention on the major corridor linking Benin City to Agbor and Asaba.
Dare explained the division of responsibility: government identifies bad roads and provides funding, while contractors are expected to deliver the work.
“Government has a responsibility to identify the roads that need to be fixed. Government has a responsibility to provide the funding. And then, the next responsibility goes to the contractors to do what is necessary,” he said.
He pointed to the quick response led by David Umahi, Minister of Works, along with National Assembly members and other stakeholders, as proof of government’s commitment. Umahi inspected the road on Tuesday, apologized to motorists, and ordered steps toward full reconstruction instead of palliative fixes.
Dare also cautioned against judging the entire federal road program by this case, calling it an isolated failure.
“What we saw yesterday, the Minister, the National Assembly members, and other key stakeholders going there in record time. That’s what good governance is about, responding quickly, putting the blame where it is, and demanding immediate action,” he said.
The government says work to rebuild the highway will now begin in earnest to end the repeated breakdowns on the route.
