Business owners and those who live along the Benin-Sapele road axis have bemoaned the snail speed of the ongoing repairs on the road.
Signs of failure of the road, which stretches from the by-pass area to the Ologbo-Koko junction, began to show in 2018 due to poor drainage design or failure to maintain drains.
Edo State Government had taken over a portion of the road rehabilitation earlier embarked upon by Levant Construction Firm, with 5.5 kilometres of stone-based and reinforced concrete pavement structure already completed.
At a stage, the road became near impassable due to political differences between the state government, which ought to have done some palliative work, and the federal government, whose duty it was to rehabilitate the road that linked the South-west to the South-south corridors.
A resident of Ogheghe, who gave his name as Igbinovia Lucky, said since he parked into his apartment in 2022, it had been a nightmare coming to the city and going back home at the close of work.
Lucky said, “Most times, a journey which ordinarily should take an average of 30 – 45 minutes, lasts up to five or six hours just from my place of work at the government secretariat to where I live in Ogheghe and same applies to other persons who live along that route or do business on that axis.”
A transporter, Sunday Ochuko, said, “The bad state of the road has increased accident risks occasioned by trucks that often get stuck, tip over, or delay for days.”
He pointed out that due to the poor state of the road, transporters and passengers were often exposed to incidents of theft, and security concerns, including kidnappings.
Ochuko said vehicles suffered greater wear and tear, with motorists spending more on fuel and repairs.
A fruit seller, who bought fruits from Benin to sell in Sapele, lamented the delay and loss of goods due to damage, spoilage, or pilferage.
The lady, who preferred anonymity, said sellers were often forced to raise prices because transporters increased fares.
She stated, “Apart from that, businesses and individuals lose hours. What might be a 1 hour trip becomes 5 6 hours. This reduces the number of trips, lowers work hours, increases delays in supply chains.
“The corridor is vital for trade between Edo and Delta states (and beyond) but poor road quality makes it harder to move goods efficiently to market, possibly reducing competitiveness.”
A business owner at the Ologbo end of the road said, “Fares for passengers have nearly doubled on the Benin to Sapele route. Transport operators are making fewer trips per day. Business owners suffer low patronage because the road takes too much time or because vehicles break down. Goods are being damaged.”
Adibe Emenyonu
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