UMAHI: Tinubu Orders Full Reconstruction Of Benin-Asaba Road As First Niger Bridge Reopens
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has announced that the Benin-Asaba Road has been returned to the Federal Ministry of Works, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the comprehensive redesign and reconstruction of the 136-kilometre highway as a dual carriageway.
Umahi made the announcement on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during the reopening of the First Niger Bridge along the Asaba-Onitsha Road. He disclosed that remedial works were ongoing on critical sections of the Benin-Asaba Road, while permanent reinforced concrete pavement construction would begin after the completion of the redesign.
According to the minister, the return of the highway to the ministry would enable the Federal Government to take direct responsibility for addressing the road’s longstanding challenges.
He explained that the previous concession arrangement had prevented the ministry from undertaking the planned reconstruction.
“What stopped the Ministry of Works from reconstructing Benin-Asaba Road, the concessioning of that route, has been unsealed. We now have our route back to the Ministry of Works,” Umahi said.
He assured motorists that the federal government was committed to delivering a lasting solution to the poor condition of the road.
“The legacy of President Bola Tinubu, you will see it ongoing on this road. Never again will our people suffer on this road,” he added.
First Niger Bridge Reopens After Rehabilitation
The minister also outlined measures taken to rehabilitate and improve the safety of the First Niger Bridge, a major transport link connecting the South-East and South-South regions.
Umahi said the Federal Ministry of Works intervened after a content creator drew attention to activities threatening the bridge’s structural integrity. An inspection reportedly revealed that some individuals were removing bolts and cutting iron components from the structure.
He warned that such activities could compromise the bridge’s stability and potentially lead to a collapse.
The bridge, which was commissioned in 1966 by Nigeria’s then Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, has experienced maintenance challenges over the years.
Umahi explained that rehabilitation works included asphalt resurfacing and the installation of median demarcations to improve traffic management and reduce pressure on the structure.
Additional safety measures include CCTV cameras, solar-powered lighting and observation centres at both ends of the bridge. Three turnaround passages have also been created to enable motorists to manoeuvre safely when vehicles break down.
The minister said the measures were similar to those implemented on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
He commended the contractor, SKCC, but clarified that the rehabilitation was not yet fully completed. Outstanding tasks include repainting the steel structure, treating rust-affected sections beneath the deck, installing surveillance cameras above and below the bridge, and providing canopies at both ends.
Umahi also warned against illegal sand dredging around bridges, reminding ministry officials in Delta and Anambra states that dredging was prohibited within a 10-kilometre radius of bridges under federal regulations.
He directed the state directors to report any failure by security agencies to enforce the regulations and warned that disciplinary measures would be taken if the illegal activities continued.
FG Highlights Other Major Road Projects
Beyond the Benin-Asaba Road and First Niger Bridge, Umahi highlighted several infrastructure projects being undertaken across the South-East and South-South.
He disclosed that President Tinubu had ordered the reconstruction of approximately 400 kilometres of the East-West Road, which runs through the Niger Delta from the Benin axis towards Cross River State.
According to him, the project would complement the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The minister dismissed claims that construction on the coastal highway had stopped, explaining that work was continuing and that the remaining sections in Bayelsa and Cross River would be addressed in the coming weeks.
He insisted that the Niger Delta was entitled to its share of national infrastructure investments.
“The coastal road is the right of the Niger Delta people. And the President will complete that 750-kilometre road. And they will also complete the SPP, which is the full reconstruction of 400 kilometres of East-West Road,” he said.
Umahi added that designs for the first and second sections of the East-West Road were nearing completion, with construction expected to begin soon.
On the Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor, he said reconstruction had reached approximately 90 per cent completion. He also highlighted ongoing reconstruction of a 44-kilometre section in Port Harcourt using reinforced concrete pavement.
In Anambra State, the minister reported progress on a 107-kilometre dual carriageway project, stating that 33 kilometres had been completed. He added that work on the remaining 40-kilometre section from the First Niger Bridge axis was expected to commence within two weeks.
He also cited the ongoing construction of Section 2B of the Second Niger Bridge bypass, a 17.5-kilometre project valued at ₦172 billion.
“These are projects that show the President’s commitment to the South-East. We cannot thank the President enough,” Umahi said.
Umahi Defends Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
The minister also defended the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, arguing that the reforms were necessary to prevent a more severe economic crisis and establish a foundation for long-term recovery.
He compared the reforms to treating a wound, explaining that the initial pain was part of the healing process.
“When you have a wound and you have to stitch the wound, there will be pains at the initial time, but that pain is the beginning of healing,” he said.
“The worse is over. We are now into prosperity. We are into prosperity.”
Umahi urged critics to present practical alternatives to the administration’s policies instead of resorting to insults and hate speech.
He maintained that the President had taken difficult decisions in the national interest and argued that the success of the reforms should ultimately be measured by improvements in the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.
Minister Declares South-East Support for Tinubu Ahead of 2027
Addressing the political debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Umahi defended the right of individuals and political leaders to make independent choices, rejecting the notion that people from the South-East must support a single candidate.
He questioned why Peter Obi was seeking votes across other regions if political support should be restricted to regional affiliations.
“Why is Peter Obi looking for votes in the South-West? Why is he looking for votes in the North? So people from the South-East must support only one person?” he asked.
The minister urged political leaders and influential figures in the region to encourage young people to assess political choices based on development, infrastructure and national inclusion.
He argued that electoral participation was important to the region’s ability to negotiate for more development projects.
“Let me tell the people of the South-East, it is what you vote in January 2027 that is our right to brag. That is our right to negotiate,” Umahi said.
He called for an end to hate speech and regional sentiments, insisting that democracy should be driven by development and inclusion.
The minister concluded by declaring the South-East’s support for Tinubu, describing the President’s infrastructure programme as evidence of his commitment to national development beyond ethnic and regional boundaries.
