Until about 24 hours ago, the federal and state governments connected by the Lagos–Benin–Agbor–Asaba–Onitsha expressway had been in ‘siddon look mode’ as motorists and travelers on this route reeled in a breath-choking gridlock.
For many days now, this expressway has been a nightmare for these motorists and travelers, who have had to spend two to three days on a journey that would ordinarily take less than five hours, following the collapse of several portions of the expressway.
The federal and governments of the adjoining states, particularly Edo, seem to be asleep while both human capital and the economy bleed on this expressway, more so as the expressway is a major gateway to economic hubs in the Eastern and Northern parts of the country.
The sorry condition of that expressway underscores the insensitivity and carefree attitude of governments, especially at the state level, where governors are awash with cash coming from the petrol-subsidy removal windfall that hits their coffers every month.
Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance, recently revealed that a whooping N15.8 trillion had been saved from the subsidy removal between 2023 and June 2026, pointing out that much of this saving was shared among states and local governments.
