Davidson Ogbebor

BENIN CITY, Edo State — The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has apologised to commuters and residents of Edo and Delta states over the deplorable condition of the Benin-Agbor Road, ordering the immediate arrest of contractors and concessionaires found removing asphalt from federal roads without authorisation.

Umahi tendered the apology on Tuesday in Benin City during an inspection of major federal roads in Edo State alongside Governor Monday Okpebholo and other stakeholders.

The minister expressed disappointment with the concessionaire handling the Benin-Agbor Road, accusing the company of lacking the technical capacity and track record required to execute the project effectively.

He said he personally witnessed the removal of asphalt from sections of the road during an earlier inspection with Governor Okpebholo and directed that the practice be stopped.

Umahi described unauthorised removal of asphalt as the destruction of public infrastructure, stressing that the Ministry of Works does not permit contractors to strip asphalt from federal roads without approval.

“I apologise to commuters plying this road, the people of Edo State, the people of Delta State and all the people using this road. I am very, very disappointed with this concessionaire,” the minister said.

He added that he took responsibility for addressing the situation, noting that the ministry had the project’s bill of quantities and contractual conditions governing the work.

Umahi consequently directed all ministry controllers to arrest any contractor or concessionaire found removing asphalt from federal roads without the ministry’s authorisation.

He said the Federal Government had a responsibility to ensure that companies awarded road projects possessed the necessary technical competence and experience.

According to him, the concessionaire handling the Benin-Agbor Road did not have a sufficient track record and reputation before taking over the project.

The minister said President Bola Tinubu was aware of the hardship being experienced by road users and had directed the Ministry of Works to take urgent steps to restore the road and alleviate the suffering of residents.

He explained that although concession agreements were governed by law, the government could invoke overriding public interest where necessary to protect citizens and critical infrastructure.

Umahi also warned that the continued deterioration of the road could pose serious security risks to ministry officials, contractors and other stakeholders, stressing the need to prevent public frustration from escalating into violence.

He commended Governor Okpebholo for intervening in the rehabilitation of federal roads in Edo State, saying the governor had demonstrated commitment to infrastructure development without discriminating between federal and state roads.

The minister also praised Edo youths for remaining calm despite the hardship caused by the condition of the road, noting that their restraint had helped prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

Okpebholo Appeals for Calm

Responding, Governor Monday Okpebholo appealed to residents and youths living around the affected sections of the road to remain calm, assuring them that President Tinubu was concerned about the situation.

The governor said the President had consistently demonstrated willingness to respond to challenges confronting Edo State.

Okpebholo recalled the deplorable condition of the Benin-Ekpoma Road and said he had previously raised the matter with President Tinubu, who assured him that the road would be reconstructed.

“Our President is the man that listens to his children. Something like this happened on that road in the past; there was traffic that lasted for over three months,” the governor said.

He added that the complaints over the Benin-Agbor Road had received a swift response, with the President directing the Works Minister to visit the state, inspect the road and report back to him.

The governor urged residents not to be misled by information circulating on social media, saying the Federal Government was committed to addressing the state’s infrastructure challenges.

He stressed that Edo’s strategic position as a gateway between the South-South, South-West and northern parts of the country made the Benin-Agbor corridor particularly important to national economic activities.

Okpebholo warned that prolonged disruption on the road could have wider security and economic consequences beyond Edo State.

Concessionaire Explains Slow Progress

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the concessionaire, Samuel Daramola, attributed the slow pace of work to heavy rainfall.

Daramola said the company had resorted to palliative repairs to maintain the movement of traffic while work continued.

The inspection tour was attended by members of the National Assembly, senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and other stakeholders.

The press release is signed by Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Edo State.