From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

The Minister of Works, David Umahi has disclosed that the reconstruction of the 250km Benin-Asaba Highway is expected to be completed within 30 months.The Minister made the disclosure during the flagging off ceremony at Kilometre 15, Iguomo junction along the highway on Sunday.

He said, “This construction is like a cashless programme. We will not see the money but the work will keep going on”. ”This project is 125 kilometres by 2, that is 250 kilometres. It will have solar lights and the Federal Government is not putting in any money,” he added.Umahi emphasized the importance of infrastructure development.”We need good infrastructure in this country. Infrastructure is the foundation upon which every other programme thrives.”The project is to be funded through a Public Private PartnershipOn his part, Governor Monday Okpebholo, who represented President Tinubu at the occasion, called the road a legacy project.He noted that “Edo State is now becoming like Lagos in terms of infrastructural development.”Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, thanked the President for his efforts.He described the Benin-Asaba road as “a critical infrastructure that connects the Eastern and Western regions of Nigeria.”He appealed to the Minister of Works, Umahi, to modify the initial project design, which was planned to terminate at Summit Junction, Asaba Delta State.He requested that the road be extended to the Onitsha Bridge, noting that this adjustment would provide greater economic benefits and improve connectivity for travelers moving between the South-South, South-East, and other regions of the country.Adeniran Ajakaye, Managing Director of African Plus Partners, revealed that the road from Benin City’s King Square to the Benin bypass will be a 10-lane carriageway with 5 lanes on each side.Federal Ministry of Works Permanent Secretary Olufunso Adebiyi described the event as “a significant milestone in the president’s renewed hope agenda.”He noted that the highway is “a crucial link between the Southern and Northern regions of Nigeria” that is “vital to trade and other economic activities.”The Benin-Asaba 125KM Road Project is funded by the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited, managed by Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited Consortium (APPNL).The project seeks to improve transportation efficiency, enhance trade, and provide a safer road network while implementing an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) to minimize environmental risks and protect local communities.