Benin-Asaba Highway: FG moves to replace contractor over delays

By Jethro Ibileke

The Federal Ministry of Works has begun moves to restore the Benin-Asaba Highway and ease the hardship faced by motorists on the 125-kilometre road linking Edo and Delta states.

The Federal Controller of Works in Edo State, Engr. Babatunde Tajudeen, disclosed this at a press briefing in Benin City on Monday, September 7, 2026.

Tajudeen said the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, had directed that urgent measures be taken to address the deteriorating condition of the highway.

The road, which stretches from the Ring Road Roundabout in Benin City to Summit Junction in Asaba, connects the South-South, South-East and parts of the South-West, making it a major route for passengers, freight and commercial activities.

The project is being executed under Phase I of the Highway Development and Management Initiative, a public-private partnership scheme designed to attract private investment into federal road infrastructure.

The Federal Executive Council approved the concession of the Benin-Asaba Expressway to Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited (BAECC) on January 16, 2023. The 25-year concession operates under a Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer model, with the agreement signed on May 23, 2023.

Tajudeen said the project had suffered major setbacks, leading to a worsening of the highway’s condition in recent months.

The situation culminated in protests by residents on August 16 over the poor state of the road and the slow pace of work.

Umahi and Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, subsequently inspected the highway on August 25 to assess the situation.

During the inspection, the minister accused BAECC of gross default, alleging that the company had scarified sections of stable asphalt without promptly reconstructing them, engaged unqualified personnel, lacked the capacity to execute the project effectively and carried out substandard work.

He also blamed the company for poor traffic management, which he said contributed to severe gridlocks in December 2025 and from August 19, 2026.

According to Tajudeen, the removal of asphalt without prompt reconstruction exposed the road base to rainfall and further deterioration. He added that some sections might now require continuous reinforced concrete pavement instead of the planned asphalt overlay.

He clarified that the concession had not been terminated because of the legal processes involved but said Umahi had proposed a mutual termination and called for another competent federal works contractor to intervene.

BAECC was also directed to restore the scarified sections to the condition they were in before work commenced about 16 months ago.

“Two weeks after the Minister’s engagement, no meaningful intervention has been recorded,” Tajudeen said.

He added that the ministry was intensifying efforts to bring in an alternative contractor within its legal powers to resume work immediately.

Tajudeen appealed to motorists, residents and transport operators to remain patient, stressing the strategic importance of the highway.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for his infrastructure drive and praised Umahi for personally monitoring federal road projects, including several visits to Edo State in the past six months.

“The Benin-Asaba Highway will not be left in its present state. The Federal Ministry of Works is committed to a lasting solution and restoring the road to a safe, motorable condition,” he assured.

He urged road users to remain calm as the processes for engaging a credible intervention contractor are finalised.

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