By ABAH ADAH
Reconstruction of the 125-kilometre Benin-Asaba Expressway, a vital road corridor in the southern part of the country, has been flagged off by the federal government.
The event, which took place on Sunday, March 21, was performed on behalf of President Bola Tinubu by the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
According to a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Works, Mohammad Ahmed, the Minister, Senator David Umahi, emphasised the project’s significance in enhancing transportation, economic growth and regional integration.
He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to improve 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 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 “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 Tinubu for his unwavering support for infrastructural 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 Nigeria Limited, while canvassing for support in the 2027 presidential polls.
In their various goodwill messages at the epoch-making ceremony, the Delta State governor represented by his Deputy, Monday Onyeme, Senator representing Edo North and former Governor, Adams Oshiomole, 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 Onitsha Bridge.
In his closing remarks, Governor Okpebholo commended the federal government’s commitment to infrastructural 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, South South and some parts of the South West, 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 Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited – Africa Plus Partners Nig. Limited Consortium, APPNLC, with a 30-month completion period.
Among the 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 eorkers, to mention but a few.
