Motorists, traders and residents along the Ikpoba-Okha/Uhumwonde Local Council boundary corridor on the Benin-Agbor Road have continued to lament the slow and chaotic spate of repairs on the federal highway, which, they said, is damaging their vehicles, disrupting transport, business activities, and general livelihoods.
Despite ongoing rehabilitation works by the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited, road users say the efforts are moving too slowly to address the worsening conditions.
The road, which has shown signs of severe wear and failure since 2018, when the former Governor, Godwin Obaseki, labelled it a federal road, has deteriorated over the years due to poor drainage design and lack of maintenance.
A section of the road, stretching from the Christ Chosen Church of God main gate through Guinness Warehouse and Winners Chapel up to Jehovah Junction, has been excavated, leaving deep gullies that often cause heavy-duty vehicles, such as trailers, to fall.
A resident of Ikhueniro near the bad stretch, Frederick Asuen, said that since moving into his apartment in 2023, daily commuting has become a struggle. “Since I moved into my apartment in 2023, it has been a nightmare coming into the city and going back home at the close of work.
“I had to leave my car, an SUV, at home to use public transport. That is after repeated breakdowns inside the gullies and expensive trips to my mechanic,” he said.
