Residents, commuters, and business owners along the Benin-Sapele Road in Edo State have expressed deep frustration over the slow pace of repair works, lamenting that the deteriorating condition of the road has crippled businesses, delayed transportation, and worsened daily life, Peak Newspaper reports.
One of the worst-hit areas is the bypass to Ologbo-Koko junction, where work that began in 2018 was later revoked due to poor execution. For many locals, the situation has become unbearable.
“It’s been a nightmare since I moved here in 2022,” said Igbinovia Lucky, a resident of Ogheghe. “A trip that should take 30 to 45 minutes now lasts several hours, especially in the evenings.”
Commercial drivers say the gridlock has slashed their daily trips, while roadside businesses are shutting down due to dwindling traffic. “Motorists don’t pass here anymore , I’m out of business,” said John, a vulcanizer. Fruit sellers and farmers also report significant losses as goods rot in transit or get stolen during long traffic delays.
The Edo State government has stepped in to accelerate the project, with Governor Monday Okpebholo recently inspecting ongoing works, including surface drains, underground canals, and over five kilometers of completed pavement. The governor assured that the Ogheghe Road project would be completed by December 2025.
Despite repeated visits and promises from the Minister of Works, David Umahi, many residents remain sceptical, insisting that progress on the Benin-Sapele Road remains painfully slow, with no immediate end in sight to their daily suffering.
