•A failed section of the Benin-Asaba Road
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, says the 136-kilometre Benin-Asaba Road will be redesigned with reinforced concrete pavement, following a directive by President Bola Tinubu.
Umahi, who spoke today in Benin City during the ‘Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road’ event, also clarified that no company has been awarded a contract for the emergency rehabilitation of the road, reports Channels TV.
He said the federal government is currently carrying out temporary intervention work to address the deplorable condition of the road while plans for its long-term reconstruction are being developed.
Umahi expressed disappointment that the concessionaire rejected what he described as “very beautiful options” offered by the federal government for the continuation of the agreement.
However, he said the setback had created an opportunity for a new approach, with President Tinubu directing that the entire 136-kilometre dualisation be redesigned with reinforced concrete pavement.
“And it’s very unfortunate that every three beautiful options we gave to the concessionaire for the continuation of the so-called agreement failed. However, every disappointment can turn a blessing.
“The president has directed whether under concessioning or under the takeover of the Ministry of Works that the entire 136km dualisation should be redesigned on reinforced concrete pavement. So, we have defined the project, there is going to be immediate intervention in the Benin Bypass.”
The minister further clarified that the emergency intervention had not been awarded to Hitech or any other contractor.
He explained that the Ministry of Works had instead hired equipment belonging to contractors operating along the corridor to carry out the temporary rehabilitation.
“The emergency intervention of the Federal Ministry of Works of Federal Ministry of Works by way of palliative intervention rehabilitation of Benin-Asaba was not awarded to Hitech or to any contractor, no award has been made.
“What we have done as responsible public servants, the staff of the Ministry of Works is to hire the equipment of some contractors within this corridor, namely-equipment of Hitech, equipment of CECC, CBC and we are still sourcing for more equipment. It’s going to be an explosive intervention to get this road fixed on a temporal basis within the next four weeks.”
