Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed the immediate arrest of any contractor or concessionaire found removing asphalt from existing federal roads without proper authorisation.
Umahi issued the directive on Tuesday during an inspection of major federal roads in Edo State, particularly the troubled Benin-Sapele and Benin-Asaba corridors, where motorists and residents have faced severe hardship because of the deteriorating condition of the roads. (Vanguard News)
The minister expressed strong displeasure with the handling of the road projects, particularly the removal of existing asphalt before adequate drainage infrastructure was provided.
According to Umahi, such a practice amounts to the destruction of public infrastructure and must no longer be tolerated by the Federal Ministry of Works.
He therefore directed all Federal Controllers of Works and engineering representatives across the country to take immediate action against contractors who engage in the unauthorised removal of asphalt from federal roads.
Umahi faults concessionaire
Umahi’s directive followed an on-the-spot assessment of the Benin-Asaba Highway, which has attracted widespread criticism over its poor condition and the prolonged hardship experienced by commuters.
The minister specifically criticised the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), accusing the concessionaire of lacking the technical competence required to handle the project effectively.
He said the company worsened the condition of sections of the highway by removing the existing asphalt without first putting appropriate drainage systems in place. (The Sun Nigeria)
Umahi said the Ministry of Works had previously cautioned the concessionaire against removing the asphalt but that the warning was allegedly ignored.
He maintained that the road was in a better condition before it was handed over to the concessionaire and expressed regret that motorists were now experiencing prolonged delays and difficulties along the route.
Minister apologises to motorists
The minister also apologised to commuters, residents and other road users affected by the deplorable state of the highway.
Umahi said the Federal Government accepted responsibility for addressing the situation and would take necessary steps to restore the road and ease the suffering of Nigerians.
He also commended Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for intervening in the rehabilitation of some federal roads in the state, saying the governor’s efforts had helped reduce the pressure on affected communities.
The minister’s apology came amid reports of motorists spending several days navigating severely damaged sections of the Benin-Asaba corridor. (Vanguard News)
Government considers concession review
Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government was considering a review of the concession agreement covering the Benin-Asaba Highway.
The road was concessioned to BAECC in 2025 for transformation into a 10-lane expressway, with the concessionaire previously assuring the government that the project would be completed within the agreed timeframe. (The Sun Nigeria)
However, the minister questioned whether the concessionaire possessed the technical and professional capacity required to execute such a major infrastructure project.
He stressed that concession agreements should not prevent the government from taking action where public safety and national interest are at stake.
According to him, the government could invoke overriding public interest where necessary to protect citizens and critical infrastructure.
Consultant contradicts concessionaire
During the inspection, the representative of the project consultant, Engineer Toyin Akinlapa, reportedly disagreed with the explanation offered by the concessionaire for the project’s difficulties.
Akinlapa said the company had failed to follow professional advice on the proper sequence of construction.
He explained that the concessionaire had been advised to construct the drainage infrastructure before removing sections of the existing road surface, but the advice was allegedly not followed. (The Sun Nigeria)
The development further intensified questions about the technical management of the project and the level of supervision provided during construction.
BAECC explains challenges
The Chief Executive Officer of BAECC, Samuel Daramola, attributed some of the delays to heavy rainfall and intense vehicular traffic along the highway.
He said the company had undertaken palliative works and expanded sections of the highway, but faced difficulties executing drainage works because of the volume of traffic using the route.
Daramola explained that the company was sometimes compelled to reopen sections of the road to traffic before construction materials had adequately cured because of the need to maintain movement.
He nevertheless assured that the concessionaire remained committed to completing the project and addressing the challenges confronting road users. (The Sun Nigeria)
More competent contractors to intervene
Umahi said the Federal Government would engage competent contractors to restore failed portions of the highway and provide immediate relief to motorists.
He also directed that the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) be approached to intervene in some of the worst sections around Asaba. (The Sun Nigeria)
The minister said the priority was to restore traffic flow and protect commuters while longer-term reconstruction work continued.
He added that President Bola Tinubu had directed the Ministry of Works to do everything possible to address the crisis and reduce the hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
Wider implications for road projects
The minister’s directive is expected to send a strong warning to contractors and concessionaires handling federal road projects across the country.
Unauthorised removal of asphalt can expose road foundations to rain and heavy traffic, particularly when drainage and other supporting infrastructure have not been completed. This can accelerate the deterioration of roads and increase the cost of subsequent rehabilitation.
Umahi’s order therefore places greater emphasis on compliance with approved construction procedures and closer supervision of contractors.
The Federal Government is also expected to scrutinise the technical and financial capacity of companies involved in major road concessions to ensure that projects are awarded only to firms capable of delivering them.
For motorists and residents affected by the Benin-Asaba and Benin-Sapele road crises, however, the immediate priority remains the restoration of safe and reliable movement.
The minister’s latest directive, coupled with the planned intervention on the affected sections, is expected to provide relief while the government reviews the concession arrangements and determines the most effective approach to completing the projects.
As the Federal Government intensifies its road rehabilitation programme, Umahi’s warning signals a tougher approach towards contractors whose actions are considered to be worsening the condition of existing public infrastructure.