A few weeks after the Minister of Works, David Umahi, visited the Benin–Asaba Expressway and directed urgent steps to ease the suffering of motorists, commuters and residents say little or nothing has changed.
The Federal Controller of Works in Edo State, Osarose Sadoh, is now appealing for patience, as the poor state of the road continues to cause prolonged gridlock, affecting the movement of people, goods and services and resulting in the loss of valuable manhours.
Beyond the frustration of being stuck in traffic, the situation at the Benin-Asaba Expressway is taking a toll on daily activities, with motorists, traders and transport operators losing valuable hours, while the movement of goods and services is severely disrupted.
For those who depend on the road to earn a living or move essential goods, every additional hour spent in traffic comes at a cost, as delayed trips mean missed appointments, lost business and reduced working hours.
The concerns come two weeks after the Minister of Works, David Umahi, visited the corridor with the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to assess the situation and engage key players on the way forward.
Speaking during an assessment of the road, the Federal Controller of Works in Edo state, Babatunde Tajudeen, expresses concern over what he alleges to be the concessionaire’s failure to act on the Ministry’s directives.
The Controller appeals for patience and understanding, stressing that the Federal Government’s adoption of the Public-Private Partnership arrangement is aimed at improving infrastructure delivery and not subjecting Nigerians to continued hardship.
For commuters, businesses, and communities along the Benin–Asaba road, the expectation is that the latest assurances will translate into urgent action, easing the daily hardship and restoring smoother movement along the strategic route.
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(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
