₦airaland Forum

Tinubu orders dualisation of Benin-Asaba road — Umahi

By John Alechenu, Abuja

The Federal Government has reclaimed the Benin-Asaba Road for reconstruction as a dual carriageway following a directive by President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said.

Umahi disclosed this in Asaba on Thursday during the reopening of the First Niger Bridge on the Asaba-Onitsha Road.

The development was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze.

Umahi said the concession arrangement that had prevented the Ministry of Works from directly undertaking the reconstruction of the Benin-Asaba Road had been discontinued, paving the way for the Federal Government to take responsibility for the project.

“What stopped the Ministry of Works from reconstructing Benin-Asaba Road, the concessioning of that route, has been unsealed. We now have our route back to the Ministry of Works,” he said.

According to the minister, Tinubu has directed a comprehensive redesign of the 136-kilometre road as a dual carriageway, with design work already underway ahead of construction.

“The legacy of President Bola Tinubu, you will see it ongoing on this road. Never again will our people suffer on this road,” Umahi said.

He said the return of the road to the ministry would enable the Federal Government to take direct responsibility for its reconstruction and address the difficulties faced by motorists travelling between the South-South and South-East.

First Niger Bridge receives major upgrades

On the First Niger Bridge, Umahi said the ministry intervened after a content creator raised the alarm over alleged vandalism involving the removal of bolts and cutting of iron components from the bridge’s steel structure.

He said an inspection revealed dangerous tampering that could compromise the bridge’s structural integrity.

Originally built in 1966 and commissioned by then Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the bridge had suffered years of inadequate maintenance, according to the minister.

Umahi said the bridge had now received treatment similar to that carried out on Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge, including asphalt resurfacing, median demarcation, solar-powered lighting, CCTV cameras and observation centres at both ends.

He added that three turnaround passages had also been provided to facilitate emergency operations.

“Exactly the treatment we gave to the Third Mainland Bridge is the treatment we gave to this place,” he said.

The minister commended the contractor, SKCC, for its work but identified outstanding tasks, including repainting the entire steel structure, treating rust-affected areas beneath the deck and providing canopies.

He also warned against illegal sand dredging within 10 kilometres of bridges, directing directors of works in Delta and Anambra states to enforce the prohibition or face disciplinary action.

Tinubu orders East-West Road reconstruction

Umahi further disclosed that Tinubu had ordered the reconstruction of about 400 kilometres of the East-West Road as a spur of the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

He said design work on sections of the East-West Road was nearing completion, dismissing claims that work on the coastal highway had stopped.

“Some people thought that the East-West Road was a road in the South-East. East-West Road is entirely in the Niger Delta. The coastal road is the right of the Niger Delta people,” he said.

The minister also said reconstruction of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road had reached 90 per cent completion.

He added that work was ongoing on a 44-kilometre concrete pavement section in Port Harcourt, as well as a 107-kilometre dual carriageway project in Anambra State, where 33 kilometres had been completed.

Umahi cited the 17.5-kilometre Section 2B of the Second Niger Bridge bypass, valued at ₦172 billion, as another example of federal infrastructure investment in the region.

“These are projects that show the President’s commitment to the South-East. We cannot thank the President enough,” he said.

Dave Umahi says they've handed Benin - Asaba expressway's construction from Hartland to Hi-tech. There's actually something about hi-tech handling projects that assures you that the job will be done. This is good news if it's actually true.

FG EMBARKS ON DECISIVE EMERGENCY INTERVENTION ON BENIN-ASABA EXPRESSWAY

The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has kick-started the Federal Government’s emergency intervention on the Benin–Asaba Highway under the Ministry’s “Operation Rescue” initiative, aimed at restoring safe, smooth, and uninterrupted movement along the critical corridor. The intervention, to be carried out by the Ministry, through the hiring of equipment and direct implementation, is a demonstration of its determination to address the severe deterioration of sections of the road and bring immediate relief to motorists, commuters, businesses, and the affected communities. He made this known during the inauguration of *"Operation Rescue Benin -Asaba Expressway”* at Benin City, Edo State on Thursday, 24 September, 2026. The Benin–Asaba Highway is a strategic Federal Highway that commences at AIF Roundabout in Benin City, Edo State, and terminates at Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, with a distance of 125km. It was concessioned to the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC) by the immediate past administration but the handing over of the site was performed by the present one in March, 2025. However, it has since been proven that the Concessionaire lacks the technical and financial capabilities to execute the project. This was established by the *Independent Engineer (I.E.)* for the project, *Messrs Yolas Consultants Limited*.* Considering the plight of road users and the continued deterioration of the concessioned road, the I.E. advised the Ministry to urgently take all necessary steps to save it from further deterioration, avert further gridlock, assuage the suffering of motorists, as well as save the Federal Government from embarrassment.

Engr. Umahi has personally been monitoring the implementation of the concession project, through several site visits and issued instructions via the I.E. for the *Concessionaire* to stick to the Ministry’s standards and methodology, which were not complied with leading to the worsening of the road condition. Hence, the Ministry’s intervention to save the critically failed sections of the Expressway, through the deployment of equipment and personnel.

The Federal Ministry of Works, according to the Minister, is poised to alleviate the hardship being experienced by road users and communities on the corridor, alike. He reiterated that the Federal Government would not allow the condition of a major national artery to continue to undermine economic activities, the movement of people, goods, and services, as well as the safety of road users and the host communities. He stressed that the emergency intervention is focused on achieving immediate traffic relief, while providing a sustainable engineering solution to the identified problem spots.

According to him, the intervention is also being driven by the overriding need to protect public interest and ensure that Nigerians using the road are not left to bear the consequences of the deteriorating infrastructure occasioned by the lapses of the *Concessionaire.* The Minister emphasised that *” this is not a new contract but an immediate solution to the plight of road users.”* He reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to restoring critical road infrastructure across the country and ensuring that emergencies receive prompt and decisive attention.

*“Operation Rescue”* is about immediate action, restoration of movement, and protection of the travelling public and communities along the corridor. *“We are determined to address the failed sections and, thereafter, provide a durable solution that will serve Nigerians for many years,”* the Minister asserted.

Engr. Umahi called on road users and people along the corridor to cooperate with the Ministry’s officials and traffic-management personnel, as emergency works commence, assuring them that the Ministry would continue to monitor progress and take all necessary measures to minimise hardship during the period of the intervention. “*I am pleading with motorists to exercise patience, observe traffic-management directives and drive cautiously around active construction zones,* he stated.

Engr. Umahi highly commended President Tinubu's concern over the well-being of citizens, reiterating that *”the Ministry remains committed to restoring the Benin–Asaba Expressway to a safe, functional and durable condition in the overall interest of Nigerians and the national economy."*

Before this, the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo had demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of his people during the protest in August, 2026 caused by the bad state of the road by immediately identifying with the situation and dispatching his Chief of Staff to appeal for calm and reassure the affected communities and motorists of immediate remedial action. Speaking at the Ceremony, His Excellency appreciated the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his prompt and decisive intervention, as well as the Minister of Works for his continued commitment to the provision of road infrastructure across the country.

The Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Charles Anaogu, expressed much gratitude for the immediate response in restoring the all-important road. *”It is a well-desired action to better the lives of the people of Delta State and the general public,* he added.

The *representative of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),* applauded the President for his commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region. He also commended the Honourable Minister for his steadfastness to the welfare of the people of the zone and Nigerians, at large.

Delivering the Welcome Address earlier, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Project Implementation and Monitoring, Engr. Phoebe William Bello, described the rescue operation as very timely in reinstating the critical transportation corridor connecting communities, facilitating mobility, commerce and trade between Edo and Delta States with the other parts of the country. Therefore,*its importance cannot be overstated,”* she noted.

The occasion was graced by lots of dignitaries and Goodwill Messages were delivered by the Deputy Governors of Edo and Delta States, the Rt. Honourable Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Youth Leader of Ikpaba Hill Community, and other stakeholders, who unanimously eulogised the Federal Government’s proactive response.

naptu2:
New roads and bridges are being built and old roads and bridges are being repaired.

helinues:
Sorry where are those bridges and new roads? How will bridges and roads put food on masses table?

Boss no vex oo, I just want to sound like those confused opposition so they can know how irritating they have been when it comes to Nigeria progress

Karlovych:
The Irabiji Dracula must be evicted in 2027,

Nothing will change that

Qadaffi2idiamin:
Another forever project to steal money and launder goodwill.

What is wrong with maintaining the existing lanes which is big enough to accommodate any kind of traffic?

This particular works minister is the worse.

Mindlog:
OP, is really showing Umahi that being given the gig was not a mistake. 😂😂😂

175:
Election Greek gifts. Poisoned Chalice.

naptu2 you used to be independent here. Seems the corn has gotten to your barn.

The way you report and defend the janjanweeds is blalablue!!!

Karlovych:
The Irabiji Dracula must be evicted in 2027,

Nothing will change that

Mindlog:
OP, is really showing Umahi that being given the gig was not a mistake. 😂😂😂

Qadaffi2idiamin:
Another forever project to steal money and launder goodwill.

What is wrong with maintaining the existing lanes which is big enough to accommodate any kind of traffic?

This particular works minister is the worse.

naptu2:
This is another one that cannot make any contribution unless he is paid. They are the people that politicians use.

naptu2:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/10/tinubu-orders-dualisation-of-benin-asaba-road-umahi/

Mindlog:
Yeah, politicians use me...they pay me £42 per hour, not in the league of those data boys on N30K monthly stipends. 😎

naptu2:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/10/tinubu-orders-dualisation-of-benin-asaba-road-umahi/

naptu2:
Thanks for admitting it. I have often told my followers about people like you but some didn't believe me. This is very good evidence.

Mindlog:
"Good evidence", at least my sycophancy is not cheap, that is the difference between me, you and your followers. 😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🍷

Cmanforall:
Road is already dualised

Better though, than making the coastal highway a priority