Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo (3rd left), with the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi (1st right), and the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku (2nd right), during the joint inspection of failed sections of the Benin-Sapele-Warri and Benin-Agbor roads.
The Federal Government has commenced an urgent intervention to rehabilitate failed sections of the Benin-Sapele-Warri and Benin-Agbor highways, following mounting concerns over the impact of the deteriorating roads on commuters, businesses and the wider economy.
The intervention followed a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi; Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo; the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Works; the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and other stakeholders embarking on a joint inspection of the affected portions.
Umahi, who led the inspection, said the Federal Government was committed to addressing the immediate challenges along the critical corridors while developing sustainable solutions to prevent further deterioration.
The Minister explained that the Ministry of Works, in collaboration with the Edo State Government, invited the NDDC, major construction companies operating along the Benin-Asaba axis and other stakeholders to assess the extent of the damage and agree on an intervention strategy.
Speaking during the inspection, NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission had received numerous complaints over the hardship faced by motorists using the Benin-Sapele corridor.
Ogbuku said the NDDC had scoped about 15.4 kilometres between Benin, Ologbo Junction and Sapele, describing the stretch as a strategic economic corridor that had become increasingly difficult to navigate.
According to him, the condition of the road had resulted in prolonged gridlock, hardship for road users and significant disruption to economic activities in the area.
“We have received complaints about the suffering of motorists along this corridor and, as a responsive intervention agency, the NDDC has taken steps to intervene,” Ogbuku said.
He said the NDDC and the Ministry of Works had agreed to work together to ensure that the remedial works were carried out in accordance with the original design of the road and built to withstand future pressures.
Ogbuku stressed that the intervention was part of the NDDC’s broader commitment to complementing the Federal Government’s infrastructure development efforts across the Niger Delta.
“We are committed to supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by delivering strategic infrastructure interventions that improve connectivity, stimulate economic activity and enhance the quality of life of our people,” he said.
The NDDC boss said restoring the highway was particularly important because of its role in connecting communities and facilitating the movement of people and goods across the South-South and adjoining regions.