Works Minister David Umahi has criticized the concessionaire handling the Benin Asaba Highway over the pace and method of reconstruction and warned contractors against removing asphalt unnecessarily from existing federal roads.
Umahi made the comments during an inspection of the 125 kilometer corridor after complaints from motorists and host communities.
He accused the Benin Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited of failing to follow what the ministry considered appropriate engineering practice.
The minister said the construction approach had worsened traffic conditions and affected communities along the route.
He also alleged that asphalt had been removed from portions of the road that were still in reasonable condition.
Umahi directed Federal Controllers of Works and engineering representatives to intervene where contractors completely stripped asphalt from existing roads without justification.
He said critically damaged sections of the highway would be assigned for urgent remedial work.
The minister apologized to motorists and communities affected by the project.
The Benin Asaba Highway runs from the AIF Roundabout in Benin City to Summit Junction in Asaba.
It is a major route connecting the South South, South East and parts of the South West.
The road was concessioned under the Highway Development and Management Initiative through a public private partnership.
The Federal Executive Council approved the concession in January 2023 under a 25 year Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer arrangement.
The concessionaire attributed slow progress to heavy traffic and prolonged rainfall.
The Senate and House Works Committee chairmen also expressed concern about the condition of the corridor and said concession arrangements could face wider legislative review.
The inspection team separately visited sections of the Benin Sapele Warri Road being reconstructed with reinforced concrete pavement.
Umahi expressed satisfaction with progress on those sections.
The latest intervention increases pressure on the concessionaire to improve traffic management, construction methodology and delivery speed on one of southern Nigeria’s most important highways.
