‘A Major Relief’: Asagba Azinge Commends Tinubu Over Asaba-Benin Road Intervention
By NWAFOR AZINGE
HIS Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, the Asagba of Asaba, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing urgent federal intervention on the deplorable sections of the Asaba-Benin Expressway.
The monarch described the presidential directive as a major relief for commuters, traders and residents of Delta and Edo states, particularly the people of Asaba and the wider Anioma region, who have endured prolonged delays, vehicle breakdowns and other difficulties along the strategic highway.
The intervention, according to the Asagba, also comes at a time when the Federal Government is making progress on the rehabilitation of the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway, a development he said could significantly improve connectivity between the South-South and South-East regions.
Presidential Directive Raises Hope for Road Users
Asagba Azinge said President Tinubu’s directive to the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently address the affected portions of the Asaba-Benin Expressway demonstrated responsiveness to the concerns of Nigerians who depend on the road for daily travel and commercial activities.
For several years, motorists using the route have complained about its poor condition, particularly the delays and damage associated with travelling through affected sections.
According to the monarch, journeys that should ordinarily take a few hours have often stretched into an entire day.
“For years, road users of the Asaba-Benin Expressway have endured unimaginable hardship, wasted man-hours, incessant vehicle breakdowns and mental stress,” he said.
“A journey of barely three hours often stretches into an entire day.”
The traditional ruler said the presidential intervention had raised expectations that corrective measures would be taken and work accelerated to restore the road to a safer and more motorable condition.
Strategic Route Links Major Regions
The Asaba-Benin corridor remains an important transportation route linking Delta and Edo states and connecting travellers and commercial activities across parts of the South-South and South-East.
The road serves private motorists, commercial transport operators, traders and businesses involved in the movement of goods between the regions.
Asagba Azinge said the restoration of the highway would provide significant relief to thousands of road users while improving the movement of people and goods.
He noted that reliable road infrastructure was critical not only to transportation but also to commerce, security and broader regional integration.
Asaba-Onitsha Project Also Nearing Completion
The monarch also acknowledged the Federal Government’s intervention on the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway, where rehabilitation work is ongoing.
According to him, the project, being handled by Hartland Construction Company, is approaching completion.
He expressed optimism that the improvement of both the Asaba-Benin and Asaba-Onitsha corridors would ease transportation difficulties and strengthen economic links across the two regions.
The combined impact of the projects, he said, could boost commercial activities and improve access between important population and business centres.
Commerce, Security & Connectivity
Speaking on behalf of the people of Asaba Kingdom, the Asagba said improved road infrastructure would have consequences beyond the comfort of motorists.
He said better highways could strengthen commerce by reducing travel delays and making the movement of goods more efficient.
The intervention could also improve regional connectivity and support security by making movement easier across major transport corridors.
“This intervention will boost commerce, security and connectivity between the South-East and South-South regions,” the monarch said.
He thanked President Tinubu for responding to concerns over the condition of the highway and urged the Federal Government to sustain its attention on critical infrastructure projects across the region.
Appeal for Sustained Infrastructure Development
Asagba Azinge prayed for wisdom and strength for the President as he continues to implement his administration’s development agenda.
He stressed that sustained investment and timely intervention in strategic infrastructure remained important to the economic development of communities and the country.
For road users who have endured years of delays and difficult journeys along the Asaba-Benin corridor, the presidential directive has renewed hopes that one of the region’s most important highways could receive the attention required to restore safer and more efficient movement.
