RismadarVoice Reporters
October 16, 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the redesign and reconstruction of the 136-kilometre Benin-Asaba Road into a dual carriageway as part of efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and strengthen economic connectivity between the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed the directive on Thursday, October 15, during the reopening of the rehabilitated First Niger Bridge along the Asaba-Onitsha corridor.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze.
Umahi explained that the Federal Government had resolved the concession arrangement that previously prevented the Federal Ministry of Works from directly reconstructing the Benin-Asaba Road.
According to him, the termination of the arrangement has restored the ministry’s authority to proceed with the project, while engineering design work is already underway.
The minister said the proposed dualisation would address persistent transportation challenges experienced by motorists, commercial transport operators and businesses using the major interstate route.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKES OVER BENIN-ASABA ROAD PROJECT
Umahi explained that the Benin-Asaba Road had remained difficult to rehabilitate because of an existing concession arrangement covering the route.
He said the Federal Government had now resolved the restriction, enabling the Ministry of Works to assume direct responsibility for the reconstruction.
The minister confirmed that preparations were ongoing for the redesign of the highway into a modern dual carriageway.
The Benin-Asaba corridor serves as a major transportation link connecting Edo and Delta states with Anambra and other parts of the South-East.
It also facilitates the movement of agricultural produce, manufactured goods, petroleum products and other commercial commodities between the regions.
The proposed reconstruction is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce travel difficulties and strengthen road connectivity when completed.
However, the ministry has not announced a definitive construction commencement date, contract value or completion timeline for the project.
FIRST NIGER BRIDGE REOPENS AFTER REHABILITATION
During the event, Umahi also provided details of rehabilitation works carried out on the First Niger Bridge, which connects Asaba in Delta State with Onitsha in Anambra State.
The minister said the Federal Government intervened following concerns about alleged vandalism involving the removal of bolts and cutting of iron components from the bridge’s steel structure.
According to him, a content creator drew public attention to the suspected damage, prompting an inspection by officials of the Ministry of Works.
He said the inspection revealed interference with structural components that could pose safety risks if left unaddressed.
Umahi explained that the bridge had experienced years of inadequate maintenance, making rehabilitation necessary to preserve its functionality and protect road users.
The rehabilitation included asphalt resurfacing, improved road markings and median demarcation, installation of solar-powered streetlights, closed-circuit television cameras and observation centres at both ends of the bridge.
Three turnaround passages were also provided to support emergency operations and improve traffic management.
The minister said the improvements were similar to measures introduced during rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
UMAHI CALLS FOR ADDITIONAL BRIDGE MAINTENANCE
While commending the contractor, SKCC, for the rehabilitation work, Umahi identified additional maintenance measures required to improve the condition of the bridge.
These include repainting the steel structure, treating rust-affected components beneath the bridge deck and installing protective canopies.
He emphasised that sustained maintenance was essential to preserving the bridge and preventing further deterioration.
The minister also warned against illegal sand dredging near bridges, describing the activity as a potential threat to structural safety.
He directed officials responsible for federal road infrastructure in Delta and Anambra states to enforce restrictions on dredging within 10 kilometres of bridges.
Umahi warned that directors of works who failed to enforce the directive could face disciplinary action.
TINUBU DIRECTS RECONSTRUCTION OF 400KM EAST-WEST ROAD
The Minister of Works further disclosed that President Tinubu had directed the reconstruction of approximately 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.
He explained that the project would be integrated as a connecting spur of the proposed 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
According to Umahi, design work on sections of the East-West Road is approaching completion, paving the way for further construction activities.
The minister described the East-West Road as a critical transportation corridor serving communities, businesses and industrial operations across the Niger Delta.
He said its reconstruction would improve connectivity and support economic activities in the oil-producing region.
Umahi also dismissed suggestions that construction on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway had stopped, maintaining that the Federal Government remained committed to the project.
He reiterated that the coastal highway was intended to strengthen transportation links across southern Nigeria and promote economic development.
ENUGU-PORT HARCOURT ROAD RECONSTRUCTION REACHES 90%
Providing updates on other federal infrastructure projects, Umahi disclosed that reconstruction work on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road had reached approximately 90 per cent completion.
He said the project was among the major road interventions being undertaken to improve movement between the South-East and South-South.
The minister also reported ongoing construction of a 44-kilometre concrete pavement section in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the projects form part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to rehabilitate deteriorating highways and improve the durability of critical transportation routes.
ANAMBRA ROAD PROJECTS RECORD PROGRESS
In Anambra State, Umahi said work was progressing on a 107-kilometre dual carriageway project, with approximately 33 kilometres completed.
He also highlighted the 17.5-kilometre Section 2B of the Second Niger Bridge bypass, valued at ₦172 billion, as another major federal infrastructure intervention.
The minister explained that the projects were designed to improve access to the Second Niger Bridge, reduce transportation difficulties and strengthen connectivity between neighbouring states.
He maintained that the Federal Government would continue to prioritise road infrastructure projects capable of supporting commerce, reducing travel challenges and improving regional integration.
GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO ROAD DEVELOPMENT
Umahi said the ongoing and proposed projects demonstrated the Tinubu administration’s determination to address longstanding infrastructure challenges across the country.
He maintained that improved highways, stronger bridges and better transportation networks were essential to economic growth, investment and the movement of people and goods.
The minister also emphasised the need for proper maintenance and protection of completed infrastructure to ensure that public investments deliver lasting benefits.
Although several projects are at different stages of planning and construction, the Federal Government has expressed confidence that the interventions will improve transportation across the South-East and South-South.
The ministry has yet to provide a detailed implementation schedule for the proposed Benin-Asaba Road dualisation and the full reconstruction of the East-West Road.
