FG begins dualisation of Ajaokuta-Okene-Auchi-Ekpoma-Benin Road

The Federal Government has flagged off the dualisation of Ajaokuta-Okene-Auchi-Ekpoma-Benin Road after the termination of the contract and re-award due to non-performance last year.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, who performed the the road projects, gave a brief pathetic history about the road, which made President Bola Tinubu to order a permanent solution, using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement technology with a 50-100 years guarantee.

According to him, hitherto, commuters and motorists have been going through hardship due to its failure and high traffic volume, hence the dire need for its dualisation.

He maintained that the project has lingered for too long with attendant consequences on the road users, which necessitated visiting the road on assumption of duty and has held several meetings with the former contractors but nothing changed.

Reporting back to Mr President, Umahi ordered for immediate and permanent solution to alleviate the suffering, which led to the termination of three (3) out of the four (4) sections of the entire alignment.

The works minister further explained,East-West road is very dear to President, positing that it is a vital link to the Federal Capital (Abuja) and other Northern States with the South-East, South-West, and South-South geo-political zones of the country, thereby helping to connect and improve economic activities.

He commended the Governor and the good people of Edo State for the display of team spirit on the project.
Umahi therefore expressed gladness for the governor’s humble disposition and for the quantum of projects going on in the state within a space of 100 days in office.

He directed the contractors to expedite action on the work, as delays will not be tolerated.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, praised Mr. President and the Minister of Works for coming to their aid.

The dualization of Lokoja – Benin Road is in four Sections, but three sections of the road project fall under Edo State.

Section II starts from Okene to Auchi, which is about 63.70km long; Section III starts from Auchi – Ehor, which is about 54.224km long, and Section IV, which starts from Ehor – Benin is about 67.9km long.

The Section I (Obajana Junction-Ajaokuta Junction) of the project, which is ongoing, is being handled by Messrs CGC (Nig.) Ltd. They were also awarded Section II, while Section III is being given to Messrs Bua Construction (Nig.) Ltd. and IV to CBC (Nig.) Ltd.