The Federal Government has appealed to the concessionaire handling the reconstruction of the Benin-Asaba Highway to allow the Federal Ministry of Works to bring in competent contractors to take over the project, citing the concessionaire’s lack of capacity to deliver.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, made the appeal on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Edo State Government House in Benin City to address the persistent gridlock and growing complaints from motorists over the condition of the 125-kilometre highway.
Umahi expressed disappointment with the progress of the project, saying the concessionaire had failed to add meaningful value 16 months after work commenced.
He appealed to the concessionaire to provide written approval for the ministry to engage competent contractors to execute the project.
“We are therefore pleading with you to give us written approval to proceed in this manner. We believe this is the way forward,” the minister said.
To ease the hardship faced by commuters, Umahi directed the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC) to immediately clear all obstructions on the highway and ensure the free flow of traffic.
He also ordered that affected portions of the road be reconstructed under the supervision of the Independent Engineer.
The minister directed the concessionaire to restore all asphalt removed from the highway, redirect water being discharged onto the carriageway and provide a technical design for proper stormwater canalisation.
He further disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Works would write to the Independent Engineer to measure the actual work completed on the project, excluding what he described as “negative work.”
According to him, any asphalt removed contrary to the contract specifications would not be recognised as part of the value of work executed, while the cost of repairing the damage would also be determined.
“We have not stopped you from working, but if you continue doing what you are currently doing, we are not convinced that you will be able to avert the potential for public disorder in that place,” Umahi warned.
Responding, the Head of Legal and Compliance of BAECC, Peterson Fabian, appealed to the Federal Government and other stakeholders to allow more time for further discussions.
Fabian said the issues raised at the meeting were not yet conclusive and expressed confidence that a more collaborative approach could provide a way forward.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, also expressed disappointment over the state of the road, describing the situation as a “total waste of resources.”
“What we are seeing now is not what I should be seeing at this point after 16 months. Nothing has been done,” the governor said.
Okpebholo urged the minister to take decisive action, stressing that Edo residents were closely watching developments on the project.
Also speaking, Senator Allwell Onyesoh of the Senate Committee on Works condemned the concession arrangement, saying the condition of the road had become unbearable for commuters.
He described the situation as a major lesson for the country on the management of road concessions.