The Presidency has attributed the recent traffic crisis on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba highway to the failure of the contractor handling the road project, saying the Federal Government moved to intervene after the situation became critical.
Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, made this known on Wednesday during an interview with Channels Television.
Dare said the contractor had failed to meet its responsibilities, despite the government providing the necessary framework and funding for the road project.
“It showed a failure on their part,” Dare said, referring to the contractor’s explanation during a meeting with stakeholders.
The highway had experienced severe congestion for almost two weeks, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for extended periods and disrupting the movement of goods between Edo and Delta states.
Businesses transporting perishable products along the route were among those affected, with the prolonged delays reportedly resulting in losses.
Umahi Orders Urgent Intervention
Dare said the government has a responsibility to identify roads requiring rehabilitation and provide funding, while contractors are expected to execute the work effectively.
The situation prompted Minister of Works David Umahi to visit the highway on Tuesday alongside National Assembly members and other stakeholders.
During the inspection, Umahi apologised to motorists and commuters affected by the poor condition of the road and acknowledged the need for urgent intervention.
The minister subsequently directed steps towards the complete reconstruction of the highway, saying temporary repairs would not provide a sustainable solution to the problem.
Presidency Defends Government Response
Dare described the Benin-Agbor-Asaba situation as an isolated failure and cautioned against using the incident alone to judge the Federal Government’s broader performance on road infrastructure.
He said the swift response by Umahi, lawmakers and other stakeholders demonstrated the administration’s willingness to address infrastructure problems when they arise.
According to Dare, identifying responsibility and responding quickly to problems are important elements of effective governance.
The Benin-Agbor-Asaba highway remains a key transportation route connecting communities and facilitating the movement of people, agricultural produce and other goods between Edo and Delta states.
Source: Channels Television.
