The Federal Government has commenced emergency rehabilitation of the severely deteriorated sections of the Benin-Asaba Highway under the Ministry of Works’ Operation Rescue initiative, aimed at restoring safe and uninterrupted movement along the critical corridor.
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, announced the commencement of the intervention during the inauguration of Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Expressway in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The 125-kilometre Benin-Asaba Highway runs from AIF Roundabout in Benin City to Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, and serves as a major transportation corridor linking communities, businesses and other parts of the country.
According to Umahi, the emergency works will be undertaken by the Ministry through hired equipment and direct implementation to address critically failed sections of the road and provide immediate relief to motorists, commuters, businesses and affected communities.
The highway was concessioned to the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC) by the previous administration, with the site handed over by the present administration in March 2025.
However, the Minister said the concessionaire had been found incapable of executing the project due to technical and financial limitations, as established by the project’s Independent Engineer, Yolas Consultants Limited.
He said the Independent Engineer had advised the Ministry to take urgent steps to prevent further deterioration of the road, reduce traffic gridlock, ease the hardship faced by motorists and protect the Federal Government from further embarrassment.
Umahi said he had personally monitored the concession through several site visits and directed the concessionaire, through the Independent Engineer, to comply with the Ministry’s approved standards and methodology.
He said the directives were not complied with, resulting in further deterioration of the highway and necessitating the Federal Government’s intervention.
The Minister stressed that the emergency intervention was designed to provide immediate traffic relief while developing sustainable engineering solutions to the identified problem areas.
“This is not a new contract but an immediate solution to the plight of road users,” Umahi said.
He added that the intervention was driven by the need to protect the public interest and ensure that Nigerians were not left to bear the consequences of deteriorating infrastructure arising from the lapses of the concessionaire.
Umahi reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to restoring critical road infrastructure across the country and ensuring that emergencies receive prompt attention.
“Operation Rescue is about immediate action, restoration of movement, and protection of the travelling public and communities along the corridor,” he said.
The Minister called on motorists and residents along the corridor to cooperate with construction and traffic-management officials, urging motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic directives and drive cautiously around active work zones.
He also assured road users that the Ministry would continue to monitor the progress of the intervention and take measures to minimise hardship during the construction period.
Speaking at the ceremony, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, commended the Federal Government for responding to the plight of road users and communities affected by the deteriorating highway.
The governor had earlier responded to protests over the condition of the road in August by identifying with the concerns of affected communities and motorists and dispatching his Chief of Staff to appeal for calm.
The governor expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the intervention and commended the Minister of Works for his continued efforts to improve road infrastructure across the country.
Similarly, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Charles Anaogu, expressed appreciation for the emergency response, describing it as a welcome development for residents of Delta State and other road users.
A representative of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) also commended the President and the Works Minister for their commitment to infrastructure development and the welfare of Nigerians.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Project Implementation and Monitoring, Engr. Phoebe William Bello, described the intervention as timely, noting that the Benin-Asaba corridor was critical to mobility, commerce and trade between Edo, Delta and other parts of the country.
The ceremony was attended by government officials, lawmakers, community representatives and other stakeholders, who welcomed the Federal Government’s intervention.
