The Federal Ministry of Works has begun moves to replace the contractor handling the 125-kilometre Benin-Asaba Highway, following prolonged delays and the deteriorating condition of the major road linking Edo and Delta states.

Federal Controller of Works in Edo State, Engr. Babatunde Tajudeen, disclosed the development on Monday, September 7, 2026, during a press briefing in Benin City, saying Works Minister Engr. Dave Umahi had ordered urgent action to ease the hardship facing motorists.

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The highway runs from the Ring Road Roundabout in Benin City to Summit Junction in Asaba and serves as an important transport corridor connecting the South-South, South-East and parts of the South-West.

The project is being executed under Phase I of the Highway Development and Management Initiative, a public-private partnership designed to attract private investment into federal road infrastructure.

The Federal Executive Council approved the concession of the highway to Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited (BAECC) on January 16, 2023.

The 25-year concession operates under a Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer model, with the agreement signed on May 23, 2023.

According to Tajudeen, the project has suffered significant setbacks, with the condition of the highway worsening in recent months.

The deteriorating road sparked protests by residents on August 16, as communities and road users expressed frustration over the slow pace of rehabilitation.

Umahi and Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo inspected the highway on August 25 following the growing concerns.

During the inspection, the minister accused BAECC of gross default, alleging that the company removed stable sections of asphalt without promptly rebuilding them.

Umahi also alleged that the contractor used unqualified personnel, lacked the capacity required for the project and carried out work below the expected standard.

The minister further criticised the company’s traffic management, linking what he described as poor arrangements to severe gridlocks recorded in December 2025 and again from August 19, 2026.

Tajudeen explained that the removal of asphalt without timely reconstruction left sections of the road exposed to rainfall, accelerating damage to the road base.

He said some affected portions might now require continuous reinforced concrete pavement rather than the asphalt overlay originally planned.

Despite the concerns, Tajudeen clarified that the concession had not been formally terminated because of the legal implications involved.

He said Umahi had instead proposed a mutual termination while calling for another competent federal works contractor to intervene.

BAECC was also directed to restore scarified sections of the highway to their previous condition before work began approximately 16 months ago.

“Two weeks after the Minister’s engagement, no meaningful intervention has been recorded,” Tajudeen said.

The ministry, he added, was therefore intensifying efforts to bring in an alternative contractor within its legal powers and resume rehabilitation work as quickly as possible.

The proposed intervention comes as pressure mounts to prevent further deterioration on a route heavily relied upon by commuters, transport operators, businesses and freight companies.

Tajudeen appealed to motorists and residents to remain patient while the ministry works through the processes required to appoint a credible contractor.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his infrastructure drive and praised Umahi for personally monitoring federal road projects in Edo State.

“The Benin-Asaba Highway will not be left in its present state. The Federal Ministry of Works is committed to a lasting solution and restoring the road to a safe, motorable condition,” Tajudeen assured.

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The ministry’s next challenge will be to resolve the contractual and legal issues surrounding the concession while ensuring that urgent work resumes on the strategically important highway.