REPS URGE FG TO DECLARE EMERGENCY ON AGBeDE, OKPELLA SECTIONS OF BENIN-OKENE HIGHWAY
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the Agbede and Okpella sections of the Benin-Okene Federal Highway in Edo State over their deplorable condition and the hardship imposed on motorists and residents.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved on Wednesday by the member representing Etsako East, Etsako West and Etsako Central Federal Constituency, Edo State, Anamero Dekeri.
Moving the motion, Dekeri said the affected sections of the highway had deteriorated significantly, making journeys difficult, hazardous and unpredictable for motorists, commercial drivers, commuters and other road users.
He lamented that the failed portions had subjected commuters to prolonged delays, with journeys that ordinarily should take a short time stretching into several hours or even days.
According to him, the situation had resulted in physical exhaustion, loss of productive time, increased transportation costs and avoidable hardship for road users.
“The House is disturbed that the failed sections of the road, particularly around Agbede and Okpella, have subjected commuters to prolonged delays,” he said.
The lawmaker also expressed concern over the impact of the deteriorating highway on communities along the affected stretches, saying dust, noise and traffic bottlenecks had disrupted daily activities and posed public health concerns.
He further disclosed that the worsening road condition had forced some residents to abandon their homes and relocate to safer areas.
Dekeri described the Benin-Okene Federal Highway as a major transportation corridor connecting the southern and northern parts of the country, warning that its continued deterioration posed economic and security concerns.
The highway forms part of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okpella-Okene-Ajaokuta-Lokoja route, which facilitates the movement of people, agricultural produce and other goods between the South and North.
The Federal Government had in February 2025 flagged off the dualisation of sections of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okpella-Okene-Ajaokuta road project in Edo and Kogi states.
The exercise followed the termination and re-award of contracts for some sections after concerns over the performance of previous contractors.
In March 2024, the Federal Ministry of Works had also directed contractors handling the wider Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okpella-Okene-Lokoja corridor to accelerate rehabilitation works or risk contract termination.
Dekeri warned that continued neglect of the failed portions could lead to loss of lives, displacement of residents, damage to property and further economic hardship for affected communities.
He called for emergency intervention beyond routine maintenance, including immediate remedial works to restore safe passage and comprehensive rehabilitation of the affected sections.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the Agbede and Okpella sections to facilitate immediate and comprehensive intervention.
It also called on the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency to urgently mobilise contractors and provide the necessary funding and technical support for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected portions.
The lawmakers further urged the Ministry of Works to provide safe and accessible alternative routes for residents of Agbede and Okpella, particularly those whose homes and communities had been cut off by the failed highway.
They said the intervention would enable affected residents to access their homes and carry out their daily activities while the rehabilitation works were being undertaken.
The House stressed that prompt action was necessary to restore the highway, protect lives and property, and ease the burden on communities and other road users.
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