Benin-Agbor-Asaba Road Failure Contractor’s Fault, Says Presidency

By Blessing Fali

The Presidency has blamed the contractor handling the Benin-Agbor-Asaba Expressway for the recent deterioration of the road, describing the development as an isolated incident.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, made this known on Wednesday during an interview with Channels Television. He said the contractor’s handling of the project fell short of the required professional standards.

Dare said the Federal Government had responded swiftly by deploying the Minister of Works, David Umahi, National Assembly members and other stakeholders to the affected section, while demanding immediate corrective action from the contractor.

He explained that although the contractor offered explanations for the condition of the road, the failure ultimately reflected shortcomings in the execution of the project.

The presidential aide also cautioned against using the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road crisis to judge the performance of all federal road projects, noting that several other roads across the country had either been completed or were progressing without similar complaints.

The development followed an inspection of the troubled highway by Umahi on Tuesday. The minister apologised to motorists and commuters over the hardship caused by the road’s condition and criticised the concessionaire handling the project.

Umahi said palliative repairs would not provide a lasting solution and directed moves towards the total reconstruction of the highway. President Tinubu has also ordered the redesign and reconstruction of the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road.

The highway has recently experienced severe deterioration and prolonged gridlock, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for hours and, in some cases, days. The Federal Government has also ordered a review of road concession agreements following the crisis.