{
  "id": 3667451,
  "title": "Benin-Asaba gridlock: FG asks concessionaire to allow competent contractor",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/benin-asaba-gridlock-fg-asks-concessionaire-to-allow-competent",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T04:41:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/benin-asaba-gridlock-fg-asks-concessionaire-to-allow-competent-contractor/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Government has urged the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC) to permit the agency to engage a more capable contractor for the completion of the road project. Minister of Works, David Umahi, made the request during a stakeholders' meeting on Wednesday, citing the BAECC's inadequate technical skills and workforce as the reason for the project's delay. He urged the concessionaire to submit a written request to the Federal Government for approval to terminate their contract, emphasizing that the current state of the road is a \"total waste of resources.\" Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, further criticized the project's progress, stating that 16 months have passed without any significant improvements, and urged the minister to take immediate action to alleviate the hardships faced by motorists using the road.",
  "summary": "The Federal Government has asked the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), handling the Benin-Asaba road, to allow it to bring in a competent contractor to complete the project. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made the appeal on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting on the project, saying the request became necessary because of the poor […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Umahi orders concessionaire to quit Benin-Asaba road over poor work",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/umahi-orders-concessionaire-to-quit-benin-asaba-road-over-poor-work-3563515",
        "published": "2026-08-26T18:02:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}