By Oghenefejiro Emado
25, September 2026
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has commended the Federal Government for its emergency intervention on the failed Benin-Asaba dual carriageway, describing the move as a critical step towards reviving a major economic corridor in the South-South and South-East.
Governor Oborevwori spoke on Thursday in Benin City during the flag-off of “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road”, through the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu.
The Governor said the deplorable state of the highway has for months subjected motorists, commuters and businesses to untold hardship, crippling movement of goods and people along the busy route.
According to him, the Benin-Asaba Road remains a strategic artery that connects several communities and commercial hubs across Delta and Edo States, and serves as a vital link between the South-South, South-East and other parts of the country.
Aniagwu attributed the collapse of the road largely to the failure of the concessionaire handling the road concession to live up to the terms of the agreement.
“We are therefore delighted that the Federal Government has today deemed it fit to give life back to this important road corridor, which connects not only the commercial centres of the South-East but also the burgeoning business centres in Delta and Edo States,” Oborevwori stated.
The Governor lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, for the timely rescue operation and called for speedy execution of the works to bring immediate relief to road users.
“We look forward to seeing the work commence in earnest and to having this important road restored to a standard that will ease the movement of people and goods, revive commercial activities and improve the economic fortunes of our people,” he added.
Oborevwori also reaffirmed Delta State’s commitment to partnering the Federal Government on critical infrastructure, recalling the state’s intervention on the federal Warri-Sapele Road, where it reconstructed the stretch from the U-turn at the Spare Parts Market to Ohore Junction using rigid concrete pavement.
He further commended the Works Minister for the ongoing intervention on the First Niger Bridge and expressed optimism that the bridge would soon be reopened after extensive rehabilitation.
In his remarks, Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, explained that the emergency rehabilitation is not a formal contract award, but a direct intervention involving equipment hired from major contractors operating within the corridor, including Hi-Tech, CCECC and CBC.
Umahi disclosed that the temporary rescue operation is expected to make the road motorable within four weeks, while President Tinubu has ordered a complete redesign of the entire 136-kilometre Benin-Asaba dual carriageway with reinforced concrete pavement for a durable, long-term reconstruction.
He revealed that the Federal Government had given the concessionaire three options to continue with the project, all of which failed, leaving the Ministry with no choice but to intervene in the overriding public interest. The Minister alleged that the concessionaire lacked both the technical and financial capacity to deliver the project and had violated key provisions of the concession agreement.
He added that the emergency works would commence from the Edo axis, with special focus on the Benin Bypass, while supervising engineers have been deployed to various sections to ensure quality and compliance with standards.
Also speaking, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, thanked President Tinubu for ordering the intervention and charged those handling the project to ensure quality delivery, strict adherence to specifications and timely completion.
The Benin-Asaba Road, one of the busiest transport corridors in the country, has in recent months suffered severe failures and perennial gridlock, disrupting socio-economic activities across the region.
The Federal Government’s emergency rescue operation is expected to provide immediate relief to motorists and commuters, pending the full-scale redesign and reconstruction of the highway.
