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Nigeria Moves to Rescue Benin–Asaba Expressway as Concessionaire Fails, Works Minister Umahi Launches Emergency Works
By Our Reporter
Benin City (Core Reporters) — The Federal Government has commenced emergency intervention on the 125-kilometre Benin–Asaba Expressway after the concessionaire handling the strategic highway was found incapable of executing the project to the required technical and financial standards.
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, who launched the intervention tagged “Operation Rescue Benin–Asaba Expressway” in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday, said the Federal Government was compelled to act to prevent further deterioration of the road and alleviate the hardship being experienced by motorists, commuters, businesses and communities along the corridor.
The intervention involves the deployment of government equipment and personnel through the Federal Ministry of Works to address critically failed sections of the highway and restore traffic movement pending the provision of a more durable engineering solution.
The 125-kilometre Benin–Asaba Highway stretches from AIF Roundabout in Benin City to Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, making it a major transportation and economic corridor linking the two states with other parts of the country.
The highway was concessioned to the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC) by the immediate past administration, while the site was formally handed over by the present administration in March 2025.
However, the Ministry said the Independent Engineer for the project, Yolas Consultants Limited, established that the concessionaire lacked the technical and financial capacity to execute the project.
According to the Ministry, the Independent Engineer consequently advised the government to urgently intervene to halt further deterioration, prevent worsening gridlock, reduce the suffering of road users and protect the Federal Government from further embarrassment.
Umahi said he had personally monitored the concession project through several site visits and had directed the concessionaire, through the Independent Engineer, to comply with the Ministry’s standards and methodology.
He said the failure of the concessionaire to comply with the required standards contributed to the worsening condition of the road, necessitating the emergency intervention.
The Minister stressed that the operation was not a fresh contract, but an immediate response to the deteriorating condition of the highway.
“This is not a new contract but an immediate solution to the plight of road users,” Umahi said.
He added that the government’s immediate priority was to restore movement along the failed portions while working towards a sustainable engineering solution.
“Operation Rescue is about immediate action, restoration of movement, and protection of the travelling public and communities along the corridor,” he said.
“We are determined to address the failed sections and, thereafter, provide a durable solution that will serve Nigerians for many years.”
Umahi said the intervention was driven by the need to protect public interest and ensure that Nigerians would not continue to bear the consequences of infrastructure deterioration resulting from the lapses of the concessionaire.
He also called on motorists to cooperate with traffic-management officials and exercise caution around construction zones.
“I am pleading with motorists to exercise patience, observe traffic-management directives and drive cautiously around active construction zones,” he said.
The Minister commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his concern for the welfare of Nigerians, saying the Ministry remained committed to restoring the Benin–Asaba Expressway to a safe, functional and durable condition.
