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 left motorists and commuters stranded for days.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this in a statement issued by his media aide, Francis Nwaze, saying the presidential directive was prompted by the hardship being experienced by road users along the critical corridor.
Umahi said the ministry had commenced moves to restore movement, adding that he would personally lead the intervention on the affected route.
“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 arrived in Benin, Edo State, on Tuesday alongside members of the National Assembly Works Committees to assess the situation and begin discussions on possible immediate solutions.
The meeting is expected to bring together officials from the Edo and Delta state governments as well as representatives of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The development follows days of worsening traffic on the route, with failed sections of the highway making movement increasingly difficult for motorists, commuters and transport operators.
The gridlock has reportedly disrupted interstate travel and the movement of goods, with some travellers abandoning their vehicles and trekking in search of alternative means of transportation.
The deteriorating condition of the Benin-Agbor bypass also triggered protests on August 20, as residents and motorists expressed frustration over the state of the road. Videos from the protest showed vehicles struggling through muddy and heavily damaged sections.
Umahi apologised to commuters and accepted responsibility for the situation, assuring road users that the government would take immediate steps to ease the crisis while pursuing lasting solutions.
“We are determined to take immediate corrective measures while working towards permanent solutions,” he said.
The minister also directed the Minister of State for Works to lead a team of ministry officials to the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti axis to assess the road and commence urgent remedial works.
According to the ministry, the team was already on the ground by 10am on Tuesday following a separate directive from President Tinubu over the deteriorating condition of the route.
Umahi said the Federal Government’s response to both road crises would not be limited to temporary repairs, stressing that immediate interventions would be combined with permanent measures aimed at restoring the roads and improving their long-term reliability.
The government is therefore expected to work with relevant state authorities and agencies to address the immediate traffic disruptions while developing lasting solutions to prevent a recurrence of the crises.
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