BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed emergency restoration of critical road infrastructure across the country, emphasising the need to protect road users from unnecessary delay and safeguard livelihoods.
Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi stated this during the inauguration of ‘Operation Rescue Benin -Asaba Expressway’ at Benin City, Edo State.
He informed that the Federal Government’s emergency intervention on the Benin–Asaba Highway under the Ministry’s ‘Operation Rescue’ initiative, is aimed at restoring safe, smooth, and uninterrupted movement along the critical corridor.
The Benin–Asaba Highway is a strategic Federal Highway that commenced at AIF Roundabout in Benin City, Edo State, and terminates at Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, with a distance of 125km. It was concessioned to the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company, BAECC, by the immediate past administration but the handing over of the site was performed by the present administration in March, 2025.
Regrettably, the Concessionaire lacked the technical and financial capabilities to execute the project as was established by the Independent Engineer, IE, for the project, Messrs Yolas Consultants Limited.
Considering the plight of road users and the continued deterioration of the concessioned road, the I.E. advised the Ministry to urgently salvage the road from further deterioration, avert further gridlock, assuage the suffering of motorists, as well as save the Federal Government from embarrassment.
Since then, Umahi has been monitoring the implementation of the concession project, through several site visits and directed the Concessionaire to stick to the Ministry’s standards and methodology. Hence, the Ministry’s intervention to save the critically failed sections of the Expressway, through the deployment of equipment and personnel.
The Minister said that the Ministry is poised to alleviate the hardship experienced by road users and communities on the corridor, while protecting economic activities, goods, and services, as well as the safety of road users and the host communities.
Umahi stated that the emergency intervention is focused on achieving immediate traffic relief and providing a sustainable engineering solution to the identified spots.
He said: “Operation Rescue is about immediate action, restoration of movement, and protection of the travelling public and communities along the corridor. “We are determined to address the failed sections and, thereafter, provide a durable solution that will serve Nigerians for many years.”
Umahi called on road users along the corridor to cooperate with the Ministry’s officials and traffic-management personnel, as emergency works commence, saying that the Ministry continues to monitor progress and take all necessary measures to minimise hardship during the period of the intervention.
The Minister commended President Tinubu's concern over the well-being of citizens, reiterating that the Ministry remains committed to restoring the Benin–Asaba Expressway to a safe, functional and durable condition in the overall interest of Nigerians and the national economy.
Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo had demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of his people during the August protest instigated by the bad state of the road, by immediately dispatching his Chief of Staff to appeal for calm and reassure the affected communities and motorists of immediate remedial action.
But at the inauguration of Operation Rescue, Okpebholo appreciated the President for his prompt and decisive intervention, as well as the Minister of Works for his continued commitment to the provision of road infrastructure across the country.
The Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Charles Anaogu expressed gratitude for the immediate response in restoring the project.
Representative of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, applauded the President for his commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region.
He praised the Minister for his steadfastness to the welfare of the people of the zone and Nigerians, at large.
Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Project Implementation and Monitoring, Engr. Phoebe William Bello described the rescue operation as very timely in reinstating the critical transportation corridor connecting communities, facilitating mobility, commerce and trade between Edo and Delta States with the other parts of the country.
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