The Federal Government has ordered a review of concession agreements on major roads across Nigeria 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 faced days of severe gridlock and hardship.
Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), accusing the firm of lacking the technical capacity required to properly execute the project.
He particularly criticised the concessionaire for removing existing asphalt on parts of the highway despite warnings from the Ministry of Works, saying the action contributed significantly to the deterioration of the road.
According to the minister, the road was not in its current condition when it was handed over to the concessionaire. He added that the company could have faced arrest for destroying public infrastructure.
Umahi warned that the Federal Government would take action against concessionaires whose activities put public infrastructure and road users at risk.
The minister said competent contractors would be engaged to carry out emergency repairs and restore the affected sections to a motorable condition. He also announced plans for a stakeholders’ meeting to determine the way forward.
Umahi apologised to commuters who had been stranded on the highway, saying President Bola Tinubu had directed the Ministry of Works to do everything possible to resolve the situation.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government was reviewing the process through which road concessions were awarded, stressing that the technical competence of concessionaires must be properly assessed before contracts are awarded.
The Benin-Asaba Expressway was concessioned to BAECC in 2025 for reconstruction and expansion into a 10-lane highway.
The project is scheduled for completion in September 2027, with the concessionaire expected to recover its investment through tolling and maintain the road for 25 years.
However, BAECC Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Daramola, attributed the difficulties to persistent rainfall and the heavy volume of traffic on the highway.
Daramola said the company had expanded sections of the road to eight lanes and carried out palliative works but struggled to construct side drains because of the constant movement of vehicles.
He explained that some completed sections had to be reopened before they were fully cured in order to ease traffic, forcing the company to repeat some of the work.
The project consultant’s representative, Engineer Toyin Akinlapa, however, alleged that BAECC failed to follow professional advice, particularly regarding drainage construction.
Akinlapa said the concessionaire had been advised to construct drainage facilities before proceeding with other aspects of the project but allegedly ignored the recommendation.
Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, backed the review of the concession agreement, saying Nigerians should not be subjected to hardship because of poorly managed concession arrangements.
He also called for immediate palliative measures to restore movement along the highway.
Governor Monday Okpebholo commended President Tinubu for his intervention, saying the Federal Government’s response demonstrated concern for motorists and residents affected by the prolonged gridlock.
