By Chinedu Echianu
The Federal Government has ordered a review of concession agreements on major roads across the country following the worsening condition of the Benin-Asaba Expressway.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the directive on Tuesday after inspecting the troubled highway, where motorists and commuters have endured prolonged gridlock and hardship.
Umahi expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), accusing the firm of lacking the technical competence required to execute the project.
He particularly faulted the concessionaire for removing existing asphalt on sections of the highway despite warnings from the Ministry of Works, saying the action contributed significantly to the deterioration of the road.
According to the minister, the road was not in its present condition when it was handed over to the concessionaire, adding that the company could have faced arrest for destroying public property.
He warned that the Federal Government would take action against concessionaires whose activities put public infrastructure and road users at risk.
Umahi said the government would engage competent contractors to carry out emergency repairs and restore the affected sections to a motorable condition.
He also announced plans for a stakeholders’ meeting to determine the way forward on the project.
The minister apologised to commuters stranded on the highway, saying President Bola Tinubu had directed the Ministry of Works to do everything possible to resolve the situation.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government was reviewing the process through which road concessions were awarded, stressing that the technical competence of concessionaires must be properly established before contracts are awarded.
The Benin-Asaba Expressway was concessioned to BAECC in 2025 for reconstruction and expansion into a 10-lane highway.
The project is scheduled for completion in September 2027, with the concessionaire expected to recoup its investment through tolling and maintain the road for 25 years.
However, the Chief Executive Officer of BAECC, Samuel Daramola, attributed the difficulties to persistent rainfall and the heavy volume of traffic on the highway.
Daramola said the company had expanded portions of the road to eight lanes and carried out palliative works but was unable to effectively construct side drains because of the constant movement of vehicles.
He explained that some completed sections had to be reopened before they were fully cured to ease traffic, forcing the company to repeat the work.
The project consultant’s representative, Engineer Toyin Akinlapa, however, alleged that BAECC failed to follow professional advice, particularly regarding the construction of drainage facilities.
Akinlapa said the concessionaire was advised to construct the drains before proceeding with other aspects of the project but ignored the instruction.
Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, backed the review of the concession agreement, saying Nigerians should not be subjected to hardship because of poorly managed concession arrangements.
He also called for immediate palliative measures to restore movement on the highway.
