The Federal Government has commenced moves to review the process of awarding road concessions following the prolonged gridlock and worsening condition of the Benin-Asaba Expressway.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Tuesday after inspecting the highway, where motorists and commuters have faced days of severe traffic congestion and hardship.

Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), questioning its technical capacity to handle the project.

The minister particularly criticised the concessionaire for removing existing asphalt from portions of the highway despite warnings from the Ministry of Works, saying the action contributed to the deterioration of the road.

According to Umahi, the expressway was not in its current condition when it was handed over to BAECC. He added that the company could have faced arrest for allegedly destroying public property.

He warned that the Federal Government would take appropriate action against concessionaires whose operations threaten public infrastructure or endanger road users.

Umahi said the government would engage competent contractors to carry out emergency repairs and restore the affected sections to a motorable condition.

He also announced plans for a stakeholders’ meeting to determine the way forward, while apologising to motorists and commuters who had been stranded by the prolonged gridlock.

The minister said President Bola Tinubu had directed the Ministry of Works to take all necessary measures to resolve the crisis.

Umahi further stated that the government was reviewing the process for awarding road concessions, stressing that the technical competence and capacity of prospective concessionaires must be properly assessed before contracts are awarded.

The Benin-Asaba Expressway was concessioned to BAECC in 2025 for reconstruction and expansion into a 10-lane highway. The project is expected to be completed in September 2027, with the concessionaire projected to recover its investment through tolling and maintain the road for 25 years.

However, BAECC’s Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Daramola, attributed the difficulties on the highway to persistent rainfall and the heavy volume of traffic.

Daramola said the company had expanded sections of the road to eight lanes and undertaken palliative works but faced challenges constructing side drains because of the constant movement of vehicles.

He explained that some completed sections had to be reopened before they were fully cured in order to ease traffic, resulting in the need to repeat some of the construction work.

But the project consultant’s representative, Engineer Toyin Akinlapa, accused BAECC of failing to follow professional recommendations, particularly regarding drainage construction.

Akinlapa said the concessionaire was advised to prioritise the construction of drainage facilities before proceeding with other aspects of the project, but allegedly failed to comply.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, backed a review of the concession agreement, arguing that Nigerians should not be subjected to hardship as a result of poorly managed concession arrangements.

Alabi called for immediate palliative measures to restore the free flow of traffic on the highway.

Governor Monday Okpebholo also commended President Tinubu for his intervention, saying the Federal Government’s response demonstrated concern for the plight of motorists, commuters and residents affected by the prolonged gridlock.