Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed the concessionaire handling the Benin-Asaba Road to formally communicate with the Federal Government through the Ministry of Works, a move that could pave the way for the termination of the road concession.
Umahi also ordered the concessionaire to immediately remove all obstructions along the Benin-Asaba Road to ease traffic and restore the free movement of motorists.
The minister issued the directives on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ engagement at the Edo State Government House in Benin City.
Umahi said the concessionaire should submit a written request to the Ministry seeking approval for the proposed action, stressing that the step was necessary to resolve the challenges surrounding the road project.
“We are therefore pleading with you to give us written approval to proceed in this manner. We believe this is the way forward,” he said.
“I spoke with your boss today, who called from America, and he spoke with a very good understanding of the issues, but since yesterday, when we met you, your approach has been very different. You have been sounding arrogant.
“Therefore, our directive going forward is that you should be removed from the site of this project, within the limits of our rights. You have added no value to the project,” he said.
He stressed that the Federal Ministry of Works should write to the Independent Engineer to request measurements of all the works that have been carried out, excluding what we describe as negative work.
“When you remove asphalt contrary to the contract and contrary to the specifications, that is negative work.
“It will not be recognised as part of the value of work done. In fact, the cost of rectifying the damage must also be established.
“Now, we want to plead with you, as the clients acting in the interest of the public, we do not believe that you currently have the capacity to reinstate the road.
“We have not stopped you from working, but if you continue doing what you are currently doing, we are not convinced that you will be able to avert the potential for public disorder in that area,” he added.
The minister, while suggesting ways to remedy the current hardship caused by the concessionaire, directed that the affected sections should then be reconstructed under the supervision of the Independent Engineer.
He also directed that the concessionaire is required to provide a technical design for proper stormwater canalisation, adding that this is very important.
He further warned that it should restore all the asphalt, redirect any water that has been channelled onto the carriageway, and restore free flow of traffic along the carriageway.
Responding, Head of Legal and Compliance of the Benin Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), Mr Peterson Fabian, appealed to all parties involved to allow more time to enable suitable options.
“I believe that everything that is being discussed here is not conclusive in itself. We will have a more robust collaborative way of handling things going forward.
“Every stakeholder here, do allow us to have more time to engage. I believe that we will have more pathways forward to further collaborate,” he said.
On his part, the Senator on Works Committee, Allwell Onyesoh, said that he felt commuters and all other road users plying the Benin-Asaba road described the situation as terrible.
“The concessionaires and whoever pushed for this concessionaire did not mean well for Nigeria, and this is a big lesson about concessionaires in Nigeria. We can see that it is not everybody that has the capacity to handle such a big project,” he said.
Also speaking, Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo, said a lot had been discussed and there was so much to be taken away from the engagement meeting, saying that he was totally disappointed with the way things are on the section of the Benin-Asaba road.
“Looking at the project at hand, looking at the road itself, looking at the suff
