Peter Obi Calls for Urgent Rehabilitation of Asaba–Benin Highway, Says Existing Roads Should Come First

Nigerian Democartic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi has renewed his call for the Federal Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of major existing highways, particularly the Asaba–Benin Expressway, instead of embarking on new road construction and dualisation projects with limited immediate impact.

He lamented that large sections of the road have deteriorated, resulting in persistent gridlock, increased travel time and significant hardship for motorists, commercial transport operators and businesses that rely on the route.

Obi argued that the situation on the Asaba–Benin highway reflects the poor state of many of Nigeria’s major federal roads, stressing that government resources should first be channelled towards restoring existing infrastructure before launching fresh road projects.

He maintained that repairing and maintaining critical highways would deliver more immediate economic and social benefits than initiating new construction projects while key national routes remain in disrepair.

The former Anambra State governor also cautioned against allowing politically attractive projects to take precedence over the rehabilitation of roads that millions of Nigerians use daily.

He insisted that what citizens need most are safe, functional and motorable highways capable of supporting economic activities, easing transportation and improving connectivity across the country.

Obi described the Asaba–Benin highway as one of Nigeria’s most strategic transport corridors, noting that it serves as a critical link for commuters and businesses travelling between Lagos and several states in the South-South, South-East and parts of the North-Central.

According to him, travellers from Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Rivers, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Abia, Enugu, as well as parts of Benue and Kogi States, depend heavily on the highway, making its condition vital to the country’s economy and movement of people.