Benin-Asaba Expressway: Why Today’s Difficulties Should Not Define Tomorrow’s Highway
Oluchi Chibuzor There is an understandable temptation to judge a road construction project by what motorists experience at the particular moment they travel through it. If the road is rough,
The Benin-Asaba Expressway construction project is not defined solely by the frustrations motorists experience today. While the road's current state may seem rough, with congestion and delays, it's essential to recognize that the project is a significant reconstruction and expansion effort. The 125-kilometre highway involves various stages, including site preparation, earthworks, drainage, pavement construction, and engineering work.
These steps are crucial for creating a durable, modern highway, and they take place in stages, not all at once.
The project's investors, BAECC, have allocated billions of naira in private-sector resources for construction equipment, materials, facilities, and logistics. However, this does not mean motorists should be told to endure the rough sections indefinitely. BAECC is responsible for both constructing tomorrow's road and maintaining a reasonably passable highway today. Palliative work is essential in this regard, as it reduces hardship while the main engineering work continues.
Rainfall has been a significant challenge, affecting earthworks, drainage, and asphalt operations. BAECC has been working on palliative interventions, such as reopening reconstructed sections earlier than ideal to relieve traffic. However, the project must balance providing relief for motorists with ensuring the work can be completed effectively.
The ultimate goal is not to judge the project based on its most difficult construction season but to see whether the investment, equipment, and engineering work translate into a safe, durable, and modern highway.
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