Umahi faults concessionaire over deteriorating highway, orders emergency repairs as government reviews competence of road concessionaires.
The Federal Government has ordered a review of concession agreements on major roads across the country following the worsening condition of the Benin-Asaba Expressway.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the directive on Tuesday after inspecting the highway, where motorists and commuters have endured prolonged gridlock and hardship.
Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), accusing the concessionaire of lacking the technical competence required to handle the project.
The minister particularly faulted the company for removing existing asphalt on parts of the road despite warnings from the Ministry of Works, saying the action contributed to the deterioration of the highway.
He said the road was not in its current condition when it was handed over to the concessionaire, warning that the company could have faced arrest for destroying public infrastructure.
Umahi said the Federal Government would engage competent contractors to carry out emergency repairs and restore the affected sections to motorable condition while stakeholders meet to determine the future of the concession.
He also apologised to motorists and commuters stranded on the highway, saying President Bola Tinubu had directed the ministry to take urgent steps to resolve the crisis.
The minister said the review of road concessions would ensure that only technically competent companies are entrusted with major public infrastructure projects.
The Benin-Asaba Expressway was concessioned to BAECC in 2025 for reconstruction and expansion into a 10-lane highway. The project is expected to be completed in September 2027, with the concessionaire authorised to recover its investment through tolling and maintain the road for 25 years.
BAECC Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Daramola, attributed the difficulties to persistent rainfall and heavy traffic on the highway. He said the company had expanded some sections to eight lanes and undertaken palliative works but faced challenges constructing drainage facilities because of constant traffic.
Daramola said some completed sections had to be reopened before they fully cured to ease traffic, resulting in repeated construction work.
However, the project consultant’s representative, Engineer Toyin Akinlapa, alleged that BAECC ignored professional advice, particularly on drainage construction.
Akinlapa said the concessionaire was advised to construct drainage facilities before proceeding with other aspects of the project but failed to follow the recommendation.
Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, backed the review of the concession agreement, saying Nigerians should not continue to suffer because of poorly managed road concessions. He also called for immediate palliative measures to ease the gridlock.
Governor Monday Okpebholo commended President Tinubu for intervening in the crisis, saying the Federal Government’s response demonstrated concern for motorists and residents affected by the prolonged hardship.