{
  "id": 3653494,
  "title": "Umahi Chides Benin-Asaba Road Concessionaire, to Arrest Contractors for Removing Asphalt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/umahi-chides-benin-asaba-road-concessionaire-to-arrest-contractors",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T03:17:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/08/27/umahi-chides-benin-asaba-road-concessionaire-to-arrest-contractors-for-removing-asphalt/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Minister David Umahi has criticized the concessionaire responsible for the Benin-Asaba Highway over the slow pace of reconstruction and expansion. He threatened to arrest contractors found removing asphalt from existing roads, accusing the company of unprofessional conduct. The 125-kilometre highway, which connects Benin City and Asaba, is a significant link between various economic centers in Nigeria. Umahi's warning came after he conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the highway, expressing concern over the suffering of motorists and residents. The concessionaire, Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited, has been accused of not adhering to engineering best practices and damaging asphalt on smooth portions of the road. Umahi promised to engage a competent contractor to address the poorly constructed sections and promised relief to the affected motorists and communities, stating that President Bola Tinubu was aware of their difficulties.",
  "summary": "• Minister promises succour for users of Nigeria’s highways Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Minister of Works, David Umahi, has chided the concessionaire handling the Benin-Asaba Highway over the slow pace",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}