The Presidency has attributed the recent failure of sections of the Benin-Agbor-Asaba Expressway to the contractor handling the project, describing the situation as an isolated incident that should not be used to judge the performance of federal road projects across Nigeria.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, made the statement on Wednesday while reacting to the worsening condition of the highway and the Federal Government’s response to the crisis.
Dare said the government had acted swiftly after the condition of the road deteriorated, with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, visiting the affected areas alongside other stakeholders to assess the situation and determine the immediate steps required.
According to the presidential aide, the government has a responsibility to identify roads that require intervention and provide the necessary funding, while contractors are expected to carry out the work according to professional and technical standards.
Dare said the events surrounding the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road demonstrated a failure on the part of the contractor, particularly regarding the execution of the rehabilitation work.
He stressed that the incident should not be interpreted as a reflection of all federal road projects across the country, noting that several other projects had either been completed or were progressing without similar problems.
The controversy surrounding the highway intensified after motorists and commuters were subjected to severe traffic congestion and prolonged delays along the route. Some travellers reportedly spent several hours, and in some cases days, trying to navigate the affected sections.
The Benin-Agbor-Asaba highway is an important transportation corridor connecting Edo and Delta states and serving as a major route for the movement of people, agricultural products and other goods between different parts of the country.
The deteriorating condition of the road has consequently affected businesses, transport operators and residents who depend on the highway for their daily activities.
During an inspection of the road on Tuesday, Works Minister David Umahi apologised to commuters over the hardship caused by the poor condition of the highway and expressed strong dissatisfaction with the concessionaire handling the reconstruction.
The minister accused the concessionaire of carrying out the project improperly, particularly after removing sections of existing asphalt without adequately completing the required drainage and rehabilitation works.
Umahi said the government would no longer accept work that puts motorists and other road users at risk. He also indicated that the Federal Government would pursue a total reconstruction of the affected road rather than relying solely on temporary repairs.
President Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Works to urgently intervene and take the necessary corrective measures to restore movement along the affected sections.
The government has also indicated that the road would be redesigned as part of efforts to find a more permanent solution to the problems affecting the corridor.
The Benin-Agbor-Asaba Expressway had been concessioned for reconstruction and expansion, with the project expected to transform the highway into a wider road capable of handling the heavy volume of traffic along the corridor.
However, the current deterioration has raised questions about the contractor's technical capacity and the manner in which the project has been executed.
The concessionaire has attributed some of the difficulties to heavy rainfall and the large volume of traffic on the highway. According to the company, keeping the road open to motorists while carrying out construction work has made it difficult to complete some drainage and rehabilitation activities.
Despite the explanation, government officials have insisted that contractors must ensure that construction methods do not create additional hazards for road users.
Dare said the Federal Government's quick response to the situation demonstrated its willingness to address infrastructure challenges rather than ignore complaints from Nigerians.
He also defended the administration's broader road construction programme, saying there were several federal highways where construction and rehabilitation were progressing successfully.
The Presidency's position comes amid growing public concern over the condition of major highways across the country, particularly as poor roads increase travel times, vehicle maintenance costs and the cost of transporting goods.
For motorists who regularly use the Benin-Agbor-Asaba corridor, however, the immediate priority remains the restoration of safe and smooth movement.
The Federal Government is expected to continue working with relevant authorities, contractors and stakeholders to restore the affected sections while determining the long-term solution for the highway.
The development has also renewed calls for stricter monitoring of concessioned infrastructure projects to ensure that private companies entrusted with public assets have the technical capacity and financial strength to deliver them according to agreed standards.
As the government moves to redesign and reconstruct the highway, attention will remain focused on how quickly the intervention can translate into improved road conditions for commuters and businesses operating along the important corridor.
No comments:
Post a Comment