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President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently intervene in the worsening condition of the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road, where severe gridlock has trapped motorists and commuters for days.
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The crisis has disrupted interstate movement, delayed the transportation of goods and commercial activities, with some travellers reportedly abandoning their vehicles and trekking in search of alternative means of transportation.
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Works Minister David Umahi said he would personally lead the intervention, adding that the Federal Government was determined to restore movement immediately while pursuing permanent solutions to the recurring problems along the corridor.
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The directive followed growing public anger and a protest by residents and motorists over the condition of the Benin-Agbor bypass, with videos showing vehicles struggling through severely damaged and muddy sections of the highway.
August 26, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently intervene in the worsening condition of the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road, following days of severe gridlock that have left motorists and commuters stranded along the major interstate corridor.
The presidential directive came amid growing public concern over the deteriorating highway, which has disrupted movement between Edo and Delta states, delayed the transportation of goods and created serious hardship for motorists and travellers.
Some travellers have reportedly abandoned their vehicles and trekked in search of alternative means of transportation as traffic congestion along the route worsened.
A statement by Minister of Works, David Umahi, said President Tinubu directed the ministry to take immediate corrective measures to restore movement along the affected corridor and ease the hardship being experienced by road users.
“President Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently intervene and ensure that necessary corrective actions are taken to restore movement on the affected roads as quickly as possible”, the minister said.
Umahi said he would personally lead the intervention on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road, adding that he had already commenced implementation of the President’s directive.
He arrived in Benin, Edo State, on Tuesday alongside members of the National Assembly Works Committees to assess the situation and begin discussions on immediate remedial measures.
The meeting is expected to involve representatives of the Edo and Delta State governments, as well as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as part of efforts to restore traffic flow along the strategic corridor.
The latest crisis follows days of severe gridlock triggered by failed portions and the deteriorating condition of the highway. The situation has reportedly brought movement along the major interstate route to a near standstill, with motorists spending hours in traffic and travellers facing increasing difficulties in reaching their destinations.
The disruption has also affected the movement of goods and commercial activities, with transport operators and businesses bearing the consequences of delays along the route.
Motorists Protest, Demand Urgent Action
The worsening condition of the road had earlier triggered a protest by residents and motorists on August 20 over the state of the Benin-Agbor bypass.
Videos from the protest showed vehicles struggling to navigate severely damaged and muddy portions of the road, highlighting the extent of the deterioration and the difficulties faced by road users.
Reacting to the situation, Umahi accepted responsibility on behalf of the Ministry of Works and apologised to commuters affected by the crisis. He assured road users that the Federal Government would take immediate steps to restore movement while working towards permanent solutions to the problems affecting the highway.
“We are determined to take immediate corrective measures while working towards permanent solutions”, he said.
FG Moves On Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti Road
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Works has commenced another emergency intervention on the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti road following a separate directive from President Tinubu over the deteriorating condition of the highway.
Umahi directed the Minister of State for Works to lead a team of ministry officials to the axis, assess the extent of the damage and commence urgent remedial works.
The ministry said the team was already on the ground as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
According to Umahi, the intervention was necessary because the condition of the road had also disrupted movement and created hardship for road users.
He said the Federal Government’s response to the two road crises would not be limited to temporary measures, stressing that emergency interventions would be combined with permanent solutions.
The minister said the immediate priority was to restore movement and ease the hardship faced by motorists, while longer-term rehabilitation would address the underlying problems and improve the durability of the roads.
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