Frustration continues to mount among commuters, traders, and residents along the Benin–Sapele Road as slow reconstruction work hampers daily activities and cripples businesses.
The project, which links Edo State with Delta and connects to the East–West Road, has dragged on for years despite multiple interventions.
Originally awarded by the federal government in 2018 and later transferred to a private company under a tax credit scheme, the contract was eventually revoked due to poor progress.
Now overseen by the Edo State government, residents say the pace remains painfully slow.
“I moved to Ogheghe in 2022, and since then commuting has been a nightmare,” said Igbinovia Lucky, a resident. “What should take 30 to 45 minutes stretches into hours, especially in the evenings.”
Commercial transporters are also counting losses. Sunday Ochuko, a Benin–Warri driver, explained that the bad road has cut the number of trips he makes daily.
Similarly, artisans and traders complain of declining business, with some, like vulcanizers, shut out entirely because vehicles cannot access their workshops.
A fruit seller sourcing produce from Benin to Sapele lamented damage and theft due to delays. “A one-hour trip now takes five or six.
It reduces my trips and ruins perishable goods,” she said. Farmers echoed similar concerns, citing spoilage and rising costs that affect food supply.
Over the weekend, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo visited the project site to assess progress.
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According to his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor inspected completed works, including 1.5 km of surface drains, a 1 km underground channel, and a 1.6 km underground canal to tackle flooding along the road.
Okpebholo also reviewed connecting roads and drainage channels, some previously managed by Levante Construction before the contract termination.
He expressed optimism that the Ogheghe Road project off Sapele Road will be completed by December 2025, in line with the contractor’s assurances.
“With what I have seen today, we are on track,” the governor said. “The contractors have promised to deliver by December, and we will support them with timely payments to ensure they meet the deadline.”
Despite the governor’s assurances, road users remain wary, urging authorities to fast-track the work and ease the economic and social hardship caused by the prolonged delays.