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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has commended the Federal Government’s decision to commence emergency repairs on the Benin-Asaba Road, describing it as a major step towards restoring a critical economic corridor that has long been a source of hardship for motorists and businesses.

The Governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made the remarks at the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” exercise held in Benin City on Thursday.

Aniagwu described the road as a vital artery linking communities and commercial centres across the South-South and South-East regions, noting that its deterioration was largely due to the concessionaire’s failure to meet the terms of its 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,” he said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, for the intervention, and called on the government and contractors to expedite the work so as to ease movement of people and goods and revive commercial activities in the region.

Aniagwu also cited Delta State’s ongoing collaboration with the Federal Government on other federal road projects, including the state’s construction of a concrete rigid pavement section on the Warri-Sapele Road, from the U-turn at the Spare Parts Market to Ohore Junction. He further commended Umahi for the rehabilitation of the First Niger Bridge, expressing hope for its reopening soon.

Speaking at the event, Umahi explained that the emergency rehabilitation was not a conventional contract but involved deploying equipment hired from contractors already operating along the corridor, namely Hi-Tech, CCECC and CBC. He said the intervention was expected to restore the road within four weeks, even as President Tinubu had directed a full redesign of the 136-kilometre Benin-Asaba dual carriageway using reinforced concrete pavement for long-term durability.

According to Umahi, the Federal Government had given the concessionaire three options to continue the project, all of which failed, prompting the ministry’s direct intervention in the public interest. He alleged that the concessionaire lacked the engineering and financial capacity to execute the project and had breached the concession agreement.

He added that emergency works would begin from the Edo axis, with particular focus on the Benin Bypass, and that supervising engineers would be deployed across sections to ensure quality and compliance with standards.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, also thanked President Tinubu for ordering the intervention, urging contractors to prioritise quality, follow specifications and complete the work on schedule.

The Benin-Asaba Road, a key transportation link between the South-South, South-East and other parts of the country, has in recent months suffered failed sections and severe gridlock, disrupting the movement of people and goods. The emergency intervention is expected to bring immediate relief to road users while the long-term reconstruction plan proceeds.