A

[Iyalaya @lollylarry1]

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS

PRESS STATEMENT

BENIN–ONITSHA ROAD: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON “NEGLECT”
_A Response to the Critics and a Clarification from the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE_

The debate over the condition of the Benin–Onitsha corridor is legitimate. Nigerians have every right to demand good roads, safe journeys and value for public investment. But legitimate concern must not be distorted into a narrative that ignores history, contractual obligations, and the substantial road infrastructure intervention currently taking place across the South-East.

The article titled “The Benin–Onitsha Road: A Monument to Neglect and the Insensitivity of Power” raises serious concerns, but its central argument requires important clarification.

The first question the writer should answer is simple: How many times has he acknowledged the enormous number of Federal road projects being executed across the South-East under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Renaissance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR?

The second equally important question is:
Was the Benin–Onitsha Road in its present condition only after President Tinubu assumed office?

And the third question, which is germane to responsible public debate is: Must every road in Nigeria be fixed within three years of a new administration assuming office, regardless of inherited contracts, concession agreements, funding constraints, and procurement laws?

These fundamental questions do not dismiss the suffering of motorists and road users. Rather, they place the problem in its proper context.

It is intellectually dishonest to present the present condition of the Benin–Onitsha road as though it was created by the Tinubu administration. It inherited a vast network of deteriorating 2,064 Federal roads and bridges projects after decades of accumulated infrastructure deficits. It is instructive to note that the condition of major highways across the country predates the present administration.

Indeed, the Federal Government itself has acknowledged the historic deterioration of major South-East roads. On the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, for instance, the Ministry has been undertaking substantial reconstruction works, including concrete pavement, and in April, 2026 reopened an initial 15-kilometre completed section.

Therefore, the question should not merely be “Why is every kilometre not yet perfect?” But the more responsible questions should be: “What has this administration inherited, what is it fixing, what contractual constraints exist, and what is being done to accelerate delivery?”

One of the most significant omissions in the criticism is the contractual status of the Benin–Asaba road project. The project was incorporated into the Federal Government’s Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) as a Value-Added Concession. Official records of the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) describe the 125-kilometre Benin–Asaba Expressway as a 25-year concession involving the concessionaire, with the project designed to attract private-sector investment for development and management of the road.

The Federal Ministry of Works has also explained that under the Value-Added Concession model, the road pavement and the entire Right-of-Way are concessioned for development and management by the concessionaire. This diminishes the simplistic argument that the Minister of Works can simply wake up one morning, terminate the arrangement, and award another contract.

Government is bound by law. It is bound by contract. And it must observe due process.
Also, it cannot arbitrarily terminate an existing Concession Agreement without considering the legal and financial consequences, including the possibility of litigation and humongous claims against the Federal Government.

[A @___Loyalty__]

@Drcrypto918 8ZbPvMDE17NswvihJBL19yFouSiaD1yWG67fREr9bM2K

[A @___Loyalty__]

@Airdrops0637 0x287210051598567B882B50644b2C977285a3e900

[A @___Loyalty__]

@firstladyship This is just accusations, show us proof please.

[A @___Loyalty__]

@Peterobi_pogg @kudos12j @charis2me @firstladyship If he's deceiving himself as u said, let's christian do christian-christian ticket and see😂🤣.

[A @___Loyalty__]

@sami_oamen

[A @___Loyalty__]

@arabnews @officialABAT

[A @___Loyalty__]

@AishaYesufu

[A @___Loyalty__]

@chibuzo_mikel @GazetteNGR @PBATMediaCentre @PodiumReporters @woye1 @AdaAnambra2023 @fkeyamo @renoomokri @rilwan_ola01 @Topboychriss

[A @___Loyalty__]

@DeleMomodu

[A @___Loyalty__]

@the_tech_writer You won't Regret joining our MASTERCLASS

[A @___Loyalty__]

@Chindapatrick1

[A @___Loyalty__]

@sam_ay0 You won't Regret Joining our MASTERCLASS, I promise you All.

[A @___Loyalty__]

@MobilePunch Join our online MASTERCLASS, you won't Regret it

[A @___Loyalty__]

@elonmusk

[A @___Loyalty__]

@thecheffchi

[A @___Loyalty__]

@mrlurvy @AOsquare Tony Elumelu?

[Dan Bello @BelloGaladanchi]

Apology regarding Nigerian Alphabet Chart

[A @___Loyalty__]

@noor_dantatii @Abdvlau Since its N11 i want all

[A @___Loyalty__]

@bhylmous A