The Federal Government has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the Benin–Asaba Road project, warning that the concession agreement could be terminated if significant improvements are not made.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, gave the warning during an inspection of the Benin–Agbor Road bypass in Benin City, Edo State, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu.
The inspection came against the backdrop of a recent protest by Edo youths over the condition and handling of the project. The protesters had decried the hardship allegedly caused to motorists and other road users by the slow progress of construction.
Umahi, who was accompanied by the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and some members of the National Assembly, expressed concern over what he described as the concessionaire’s poor performance.
The Minister said the Federal Government was considering terminating the concession agreement and awarding the project to another company if the contractor failed to demonstrate immediate improvement.
According to him, the government would not continue to tolerate a situation where a major road project of such importance is handled at a pace and standard that falls short of expectations.
He stressed the need for the concessionaire to urgently improve both the quality and speed of work to ease the difficulties faced by commuters and other road users along the corridor.
The Benin–Asaba Road is a major transportation route connecting Edo and Delta states and serves as an important link between communities and commercial centres in the region.
The Federal Government’s latest position signals increased pressure on the contractor to accelerate work or risk losing the project.
