The Federal Ministry of Works has received a directive to urgently intervene in the worsening state of the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road where motorists and commuters have been stranded for days.
David Umahi, Minister of Works, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued the directive in response to the hardship being experienced by road users on the corridor.
A statement issued by Francis Nwaze, Umahi’s media aide said: “President Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently intervene and ensure that necessary corrective actions are taken to restore movement on the affected roads as quickly as possible”.
The Minister said he had moved to implement the directive and would personally lead the intervention on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road.
The statement, disclosed that Umahi arrived in Benin, Edo State, on Tuesday alongside members of the National Assembly works committees to begin discussions on the situation.
The meeting is expected to involve representatives of the Edo, Delta State governments and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), with the aim of finding immediate solutions to the difficulties confronting motorists on the route.
The intervention followed reports of severe gridlock experienced by commuters in the past days as failed sections and the deteriorating condition of the highway worsened traffic.
The situation has affected inter-state movement, with reports indicating that some travelers abandoned their vehicles and trekked to seek alternative means of transportation.
The prolonged gridlock has also affected the movement of goods and commercial activities along the corridor.
Residents and motorists on August 20, protested the condition of the Benin-Agbor by-pass. Videos from the protest show vehicles struggling through muddy sections of the road.
Umahi also accepted responsibility for the situation and apologised to commuters.
He said the government would pursue immediate measures to restore movement while also working towards permanent solutions for the affected roads.
Said Umahi: “We are determined to take immediate corrective measures while working towards permanent solutions”.
The Minister also directed the Minister of State for Works to lead a team of Ministry officials to the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti axis to assess the condition of the road and commence urgent remedial works.
The Ministry said the team was already on the ground as of 10:00am on Tuesday.
The Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti intervention is also being carried out following Tinubu’s directive over the deteriorating condition of the road, which has caused significant disruption to movement.
Umahi said the Federal Government’s response to the two roads crises would go beyond temporary relief.
He said immediate measures would be combined with permanent solutions to restore the affected roads and improve their long-term reliability.
