FG: Benin–Onitsha Road Concession Limiting Immediate Intervention
• Says road’s condition predated Tinubu administration Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Federal Ministry of Works has rejected claims that the Benin–Onitsha road has been deliberately neglected by the federal
The Federal Ministry of Works has dismissed accusations that the Benin–Onitsha road has been intentionally neglected by the government under President Bola Tinubu. According to the ministry, the road's poor condition existed prior to Tinubu's administration and is limited by an existing concession agreement. The road spans 125 kilometres and is managed through a 25-year concession, which requires private-sector investment for development and management.
The ministry clarified that it inherited a significant network of deteriorating roads when Tinubu took office in May 2023 and acknowledged these inherited challenges. The ministry argued that expecting all inherited roads to be reconstructed within three years is unrealistic. Specifically, the Benin–Asaba section of the corridor is under a 25-year concession, which imposes legal and contractual constraints on the ministry's ability to modify the project.
The ministry stated that it is obligated to respect existing contracts and legal processes, warning that premature termination of the concession could lead to legal consequences and financial disputes. Despite these constraints, the ministry has been actively negotiating with the concessionaire to improve work progress. The ministry also pointed out that the government has been reviewing inherited highway concession agreements since 2025 to address transparency, accountability, and value for money.
Additionally, the ministry rejected claims that the Tinubu administration has been less supportive of the South-East region, listing several major road projects underway in the area, such as the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway and the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue Trans-Sahara Superhighway. The ministry highlighted the reopening of a 15-kilometre section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway in April 2026 as evidence of ongoing intervention.
The ministry emphasized that while it acknowledges the legitimate criticism of the Benin–Onitsha road, it urged the public to consider other infrastructure projects being carried out in the South-East. The ministry reiterated that criticism should be balanced and not selective. The ministry also addressed issues of underperforming contractors and concessionaires, citing the minister's warnings about non-compliant contractors in June 2026.
The ministry maintained that it is legally bound and not unwilling to act, and that its inability to immediately terminate a concession should not be misconstrued as a lack of action. The ministry stressed that infrastructure development should be evaluated based on projects delivered and those under construction, taking into account the constraints faced during implementation.
The ministry acknowledged ongoing delays, vehicle damage, and safety concerns along the Benin–Onitsha corridor and affirmed that the government remains committed to addressing these issues through continued engagement with the concessionaire and enforcement of contractual obligations.
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