Residents, commuters, and business owners along the Benin–Sapele Road have expressed frustration over the slow pace of repair work on the highway, lamenting the toll it has taken on daily life and economic activities.
Particularly affected is the bypass to the Ologbo–Koko junction, where motorists say the situation has worsened despite years of intervention. The project, first awarded in 2018 by the Federal Government, was later revoked due to poor execution.
A resident of Ogheghe, Igbinovia Lucky, described commuting as a “nightmare” since moving into the area in 2022. “It takes hours to get to my place of work at the government secretariat and return home. A journey that should take 30–45 minutes now stretches into several hours,” he said.
Commercial drivers are also counting losses. A driver on the Benin–Warri route, Sunday Ochuko, said the bad road has drastically reduced the number of trips they can make daily.
For others, the hardship means lost livelihoods. A vulcaniser identified as John said he was out of business as motorists now avoid his location. A fruit seller narrated how delays in traffic cause spoilage of her goods, while thieves take advantage of gridlocks to steal from her. Farmers also say transporting produce has become costly, forcing up food prices in the markets.
The Edo State government has stepped in to take over parts of the reconstruction. Governor Monday Okpebholo, during an inspection tour on Saturday, reviewed completed works including 1.5km of surface drains, a one-kilometre underground channel, and a 1.6km underground canal to address flooding along the Sapele Road axis. He said over five kilometres of rigid pavement and 5.5km of stone base have been completed, expressing optimism that the Ogheghe Road project will be ready by December 2025.
Similarly, Minister of Works David Umahi recently visited the site, pledging speedy completion. But residents insist progress remains slow and conditions unbearable.
“We hear promises, but the suffering continues every day,” a farmer said.
