Some stakeholders have called for urgent reconstruction of major federal roads in Edo, saying their poor condition is contributing to insecurity and exposing travellers to kidnapping and armed robbery attacks.

The stakeholders stated that deteriorated sections of the roads often forced motorists to slow down and caused prolonged traffic congestion for travellers entering and travelling through Edo.

This, they explained, often left commuters vulnerable to criminal elements operating along isolated stretches of the roads.

The concerns came amidst a surge in the spate of kidnapping and banditry in the country, as well as the federal and Edo governments’ continued rehabilitation and reconstruction works on several federal roads traversing the state.

Monday Igbinovia, a commercial bus driver on the Benin-Auchi route, said that although the road was slightly better than in previous years, several failed portions compelled drivers to slow down.

According to him, such locations can become criminal flashpoints, particularly during periods of low traffic or at night.

“The road is better than before, but there are still portions where vehicles have had to slow down because of potholes and failed sections. Anytime vehicles are forced to crawl, passengers naturally become worried about security,” he said.

For Musa Abdullahi, a trailer driver who transports goods between northern and southern Nigeria, the Benin-Auchi highway remains one of the country’s most strategic economic corridors.

He noted that the high volume of articulated vehicles on the route often exacerbates road deterioration, creating bottlenecks that can expose motorists to criminal activity.

“The longer the articulated vehicles stay on the road because of bad sections, the greater the security concerns for drivers and passengers,” he said.

Security concerns have become particularly pronounced along sections of the Benin-Auchi-Okene, Benin-Ore, and Benin-Agbor corridors, where road users have repeatedly raised alarms about criminal activity.

A motorist, Odiion Sufianu, recalled previous protests by youths in Auchi over insecurity and gully erosion around the Jattu axis.

“When roads become difficult to navigate, travellers are forced into vulnerable situations. Poor roads can reinforce insecurity,” he said.

Several transport operators, including Victor Yusuf and Joe Adaba, called for comprehensive reconstruction of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi highway rather than recurring palliative interventions.

According to them, a fully reconstructed highway would not only improve mobility but also reduce security vulnerabilities associated with long traffic queues and slow-moving vehicles.

Passengers also expressed similar concerns.

According to Grace Okojie, a frequent commuter, delays caused by damaged sections often extend travel times and leave passengers anxious, especially when journeys stretch into the late evening.

Road transport stakeholders argued that the condition of highways has become both an economic and a security issue.

Apart from increasing vehicle maintenance costs and transport fares, they said prolonged travel times created opportunities for criminal elements to exploit stranded or slow-moving motorists.

While concerns persist along parts of the Benin-Auchi corridor, road users acknowledged significant improvements on the Benin-Sapele-Warri highway, following ongoing reconstruction works.

Previously impassable sections around Limit Road, Agip, PZ and Adesuwa junctions have been repaired and reopened to traffic. Motorists said the development reduced travel time and eased traffic congestion that previously left commuters stranded for hours.

At Ologbo, the boundary community between Edo and Delta, heavy-duty truck operators reported improved traffic flow after years of gridlock.

Commercial driver Bashiru Danjuma said the reconstruction not only revived transport businesses but also reduced the vulnerability associated with long queues.

“The bad road reduced the number of trips we could make daily. Traffic congestion also created security concerns because people can remain trapped on the road for hours. The improvement has brought relief,” he said.

A food vendor, Osariemen Osariodion, recalled how a journey that ordinarily should last about an hour sometimes stretched to five hours due to road failure.

Similarly, a farmer, Ebu Oriosaye, said she frequently lost perishable agricultural produce because of prolonged road journeys.

Community leaders, including Erahor Omoruyi and Vincent Iyoha, said completing the road project would further strengthen economic activities while improving commuter safety.

The chairman of the Sapele Road Bypass Axis Group, Daniel Omoregbe, said the situation improved significantly since construction commenced.

Similarly, motorists on the Benin-Ore highway also acknowledged improvements on some stretches but called for accelerated rehabilitation of the remaining failed sections.

A luxury bus driver, Adewale Akinyemi, said that ongoing construction had improved parts of the route but noted that some failed sections still slowed vehicular movement.

For commuters, safety remained a major concern.

Peter Ekhator observed that motorists often made sudden manoeuvres to avoid potholes, increasing the risk of accidents and potentially creating dangerous situations for other road users.

Osaro Igbinedion of the National Union of Road Transport Workers described the highways as critical national economic lifelines.

According to him, sustained maintenance and prompt rehabilitation will not only reduce accidents and transportation costs but also contribute to safer travel conditions.

Responding to concerns, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency said interventions were ongoing on several federal roads in Edo.

The Federal Road Maintenance Engineer in Edo, Emeter Olisa, said that FERMA is undertaking direct-labour maintenance work along the Oluku Bypass in Benin City.

According to him, the works include extensive desilting of drainage channels, shoulder reconstruction, asphalt laying and carriageway repairs around bridge sections.

Mr Olisa also disclosed that a Sukuk-funded project was ongoing along the Auchi-Benin corridor, while contractors engaged by the Federal Ministry of Works were carrying out concrete pavement construction on sections of the Benin-Sapele road.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure and ensuring safer travel for road users.

Security experts and transport stakeholders had long argued that good road infrastructure remained a critical component of public safety. 

(NAN)