Works Minister apologises over Benin–Agbor Road, orders arrest of contractors removing asphalt

Kingsley Ohens reporting

BENIN CITY, EDO STATE — The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has apologised to commuters and residents of Edo and Delta states over the deplorable condition of the Benin–Agbor Road, directing the immediate arrest of contractors and concessionaires found removing asphalt from federal roads without authorisation.

Umahi gave the directive on Tuesday in Benin City during an inspection of major federal roads in Edo State alongside the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

The Minister expressed deep concern over the hardship caused by the deteriorating condition of the Benin–Agbor Road and acknowledged the growing frustration among road users, while commending Governor Okpebholo for intervening in the rehabilitation of federal roads across the state.

He also commended Edo youths for maintaining calm despite the difficulties created by the condition of the road, noting that their restraint had helped avert a possible breakdown of law and order.

Umahi particularly expressed disappointment with the concessionaire handling the Benin–Agbor Road, questioning its technical capacity and track record to execute the project effectively.

According to him, he had personally witnessed the removal of asphalt from sections of the road during an earlier inspection with Governor Okpebholo and directed that the practice be stopped.

He stressed that the Federal Ministry of Works does not permit contractors or concessionaires to remove asphalt from federal roads without due authorisation, describing such action as a violation of ministry policy and destruction of public assets.

“I commend Governor Monday Okpebholo for his intervention in lots of federal roads across the state. He is not saying this is a federal or state road. I apologise to commuters plying this road—the people of Edo, the people of Delta State and all the people using this road,” Umahi said.

The Minister added that the Federal Government would review the circumstances surrounding the concession and ensure that the immediate priority remained the restoration of the road and relief for commuters.

He directed all ministry controllers to arrest any contractor or concessionaire found removing asphalt from federal roads without the required approval.

Umahi further stated that government had a responsibility to ensure that companies awarded major road concessions possessed the requisite technical competence, experience and track record to deliver on such projects.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was aware of the hardship being experienced by road users and had directed the Ministry of Works to take necessary steps to restore the road and alleviate the suffering of residents and commuters.

The Minister also explained that while concession agreements were governed by law, government could invoke overriding public interest where necessary to protect citizens and critical public infrastructure.

He warned that the continued deterioration of the road could create serious security concerns, urging all stakeholders to ensure that public frustration did not escalate into violence.

Responding, Governor Okpebholo appealed to residents and youths living around the affected sections of the road to remain calm, assuring them that President Tinubu had demonstrated genuine concern about the situation.

The Governor recalled the prolonged hardship previously experienced by commuters on the Benin–Ekpoma Road and said he had personally raised the matter with the President, who assured him that the road would be reconstructed.

“Our President is the man that listens to his children. Something like this happened on that road in the past; there was traffic that lasted for over three months,” Okpebholo said.

He noted that the concerns over the Benin–Agbor Road had only recently intensified, yet the President had responded by dispatching the Works Minister to Edo to assess the situation firsthand and report back to him.

Governor Okpebholo urged residents not to be misled by unverified narratives on social media, stressing that the Federal Government was committed to addressing the challenges confronting Edo State.

He described Edo as a strategic gateway connecting the South-South, South-West and northern parts of Nigeria, noting that any major disruption to movement within the state could have wider economic and security implications.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the concessionaire, Samuel Daramola, attributed the slow pace of work on the road to heavy rainfall, explaining that the company had resorted to palliative repairs to sustain the movement of traffic while work continued.

The inspection tour was attended by members of the National Assembly, senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and other relevant stakeholders.

The report was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, on Tuesday, August 24, 2026.