By SUNDAY OGWUCHE, Abuja
The reconstruction of the 125-kilometre (km) Benin-Asaba Expressway, a vital road corridor in the southern part of the country, has been flagged off by the Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN.
The event, which took place on Sunday, 21st March 2025, was performed on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo.
According to a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Works, Mohammad Abdullahi Ahmed, the Minister, Sen. David Umahi, emphasised the project’s significance in enhancing transportation, economic growth, and regional integration.
He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure as a means of boosting national development and integration, noting that the partnership driving the project would enhance the safety and efficiency of travel while unlocking the economic potentials of the region.
“This project will generate significant economic benefits, including job creation and an improved standard of living for the people. I urge all stakeholders to work, collaboratively, to ensure the successful and timely completion of this critical infrastructure,” the Minister stated.
He explained that “The Benin–Asaba Expressway Project is an ambitious one, solar-lit, that would be fully funded by the private sector under a Public-Private Partnership, PPP, agreement.”
On behalf of the government and people of Edo and Delta States, the Minister expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for infrastructure development in the region and the nation at large.
He also commended the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Chief Wale Edun, and the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission, ICRC, for modifying an alternative funding option, outside the national budget, that would guarantee the timely execution of federal road projects.
Umahi officially handed over the Engineering Design and Instruments of Authority for the contract to the concessionaire, Africa Plus Partners Nig. Limited, while canvassing for support in the 2027 Presidential polls.
In their various Goodwill Messages at the epoch-making ceremony, the Governor of Delta State, represented by his Deputy, Monday Onyeme, the Senator representing Edo North and former Governor, Adams Oshiomole, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State and representative of the Transport Union, eulogised Mr President for the life-changing project.
The Governor also pleaded with Mr President to extend the alignment to the Onitsha Bridge.
In his closing remarks, the Governor of Edo State commended the federal government’s commitment to infrastructure development, expressing joy that the Renewed Hope Administration of President Tinubu had prioritised road construction as a catalyst for economic transformation.
He acknowledged the efforts of the Ministries of Works and Finance in driving infrastructure renewal across the country.
The Benin-Asaba 125 Dual Carriageway, beginning from AIF Roundabout in Benin City, Edo State and terminating at Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, serves as a major link between the South-East, the South-South and some parts of the Southwestern Nigeria, so it is a vital artery connecting vibrant economic regions of the
country.
The total cost of the rehabilitation and value-added concession of the expressway will be funded by the Benin – Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited – Africa Plus Partners Nig. Limited Consortium, APPNLC, with a 30-month completion period.
Among stakeholders that graced the event were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Engr Olufunsho Adebiyi, directors-general of ICRC and the Bureau for Public Enterprises, BPE, members of the National and State Assemblies, members of the Edo State Executive Council, Traditional Rulers, Party and Opinion Leaders, Market Women, Transport Workers, to mention but a few.