Umahi apologises over Benin-Sapele road, orders arrest of contractors

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has apologised to commuters and residents of Edo and Delta states over the deplorable condition of the Benin-Sapele Road, which has caused hardship to the people.

Umahi also ordered the arrest of the contractor and concessionaire, as well as others found removing asphalt from federal roads without authorisation.

The minister offered the apology and issued the directive on during an inspection tour of some major roads in Edo State on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

The minister thanked Edo youths for remaining calm despite the hardship caused by the condition of the road, noting that their restraint had helped prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

He expressed disappointment with the concessionaire handling the road, accusing the company of lacking the technical competence required to execute the project.

Umahi said he had personally observed the removal of asphalt from the road during an earlier inspection with Governor Monday Okpebholo and directed the contractor to stop the practice.

According to him, the Ministry of Works does not permit contractors to remove asphalt from federal roads without authorisation, describing such acts as “destruction of public infrastructure.”

Umahi therefore directed all ministry controllers to arrest any contractor or concessionaire found removing asphalt from federal roads without approval.

Umahi criticised the concessionaire’s handling of the project, saying its lack of technical capacity had subjected commuters and residents to untold hardship.

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He said the federal government has a responsibility to ensure that concessionaires possess the necessary technical competence before being awarded road projects.

Umahi maintained that the concessionaire did not have a reputation for competence and integrity before taking over the construction of the Benin-Agbor Road.

The minister further stated that President Bola Tinubu had taken note of the suffering of road users and directed the Ministry of Works to do everything necessary to restore the road and ameliorate the suffering of the people.

He added that although concession agreements were governed by law, the government could invoke overriding public interest where necessary to protect citizens and critical infrastructure.

Umahi reiterated his apology to commuters, residents of Edo and Delta, and other road users affected by the poor condition of the road.

Umahi assured them of the immediate rehabilitation of the road to bring relief to the people, in line with Tinubu’s directive.

Responding, Okpebholo appealed to residents and youths in the affected areas to remain patient and exercise restraint over the deplorable condition of the road.

The governor recalled the poor state of the Benin-Ekpoma road, saying Tinubu had promised to reconstruct it after their meeting and had fulfilled the promise.

He said Edo’s strategic location made it a gateway to several regions, warning that unrest in the state could have consequences for the entire country.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the concessionaire, Samuel Daramola, blamed the slow pace of work on the heavy rains, saying the company had resorted to carrying out palliative works to allow traffic to move.

Daramola maintained that one of the first things the company did when it took over the construction of the Benin-Agbor Road was to expand the road.

He said the company started with palliative works because of the numerous potholes on the road, to create easier access for commuters