Apparently rattled by public outcry over the poor condition of the Benin-Asaba Expressway, in which motorists were trapped for days, the federal government has recognized and treated it as an emergency, ordering its immediate repair and return to free movement.
The expressway has been in the news for the wrong reason in the last couple of weeks as motorists and the host communities were subjected to untold hardship resulting from the gruelling gridlock that stretched several kilometres on both carriageways.
David Umahi, Minister of Works, who gave the repair order a couple of days ago, expressed concern over what he described as unacceptable deficiencies and failures in executing and managing the Concession Agreement on the Reconstruction and Expansion of the Expressway.
The minister spoke at a Stakeholders Engagement convened to find a feasible solution to the plight of road users and host communities along the corridor at the Edo State Government House.
He stressed that critical national infrastructure must not be allowed to deteriorate through negligence, poor and unprofessional construction practices, or failure to follow instructions.
