The Benin-Asaba highway, a critical transport corridor linking Edo and Delta States, has become a nightmare for motorists and businesses.

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Once a major artery for trade, travel, and inter-state commerce, the road now lies in disrepair, riddled with potholes, flooding, and erosion that leave commuters stranded for hours.

Residents and drivers describe the route as a “death trap”, with social media filled with viral posts showing stranded vehicles and frustrated travelers lamenting the neglect.

Daily Struggles on the Highway

When RoadKing.ng correspondents visited sections of the road, the scene was grim:

• Trucks stuck in mud-filled gullies.
• Cars navigating on makeshift paths created by desperate locals.
• Traders stranded as goods spoiled in traffic jams stretching for kilometers.

“This is not just bad; it’s wickedness,” one driver, Mr. Osazee, told us.

“We spend hours on a road that should take minutes. Many vehicles break down daily, and passengers are robbed in the gridlock at night.”

Impact on Economy and Lives

The Benin-Asaba highway isn’t just a road, it’s a lifeline for businesses. Every day, thousands of commuters, traders, and transport operators depend on it. Its collapse has meant:

• Rising transport fares as drivers charge more for wear-and-tear repairs.
• Loss of goods as perishable items rot in endless traffic jams.
• Insecurity as armed robbers exploit stranded vehicles at night.

The Dangote refinery supply chain, agricultural traders from Delta, and inter-state transport buses have all reported major losses tied to the condition of this road.

Why Is the Road So Bad?

Experts cite three major reasons:

1. Poor Drainage: Heavy rains turn sections into swamps.
2. Overloaded Trucks: The highway was never reinforced to handle such weight.
3. Delayed Government Intervention: Multiple contracts have been awarded, but implementation remains slow.

Road Safety Data

According to the FRSC 2024 mid-year crash report, the Benin-Asaba corridor recorded over 120 crashes in six months, many tied to bad road sections and reckless overtaking.

Conclusion

The Benin-Asaba highway stands as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s road crisis: vital arteries collapsing under neglect, leaving citizens to suffer. Until urgent rehabilitation begins, commuters will continue to pay with their wallets, health, and sometimes their lives.

For motorists and travelers plying the Benin-Asaba Road, what should be a vital economic artery between Edo and Delta States has become a nightmare of potholes, craters, and endless traffic jams.

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From heavy-duty trucks to interstate buses, everyone navigating the route is now confronted with long hours of delay, vehicle damage, and heightened accident risk.

The situation has gotten so dire that residents and commuters are calling on Edo State authorities, especially security and political leaders, to “show their powers” and intervene urgently.

A Road That Breaks More Than Cars

The Benin-Asaba Road is a critical link in Nigeria’s southern transport network, connecting the commercial hub of Benin City to Delta State’s capital, Asaba, and serving as part of the West–East economic corridor.

However, the current state of the road is alarming:

• Deep, waterlogged potholes force vehicles to weave dangerously into oncoming lanes.
• Sections reduced to single-lane traffic, causing hours-long hold-ups.
• Breakdowns are a daily occurrence, with trailers often stuck mid-road.

Commercial driver Osagie Erhunmwunsee, who plies the route daily, described it as “a slow-motion disaster”:

“From Uselu to Okhuahe, it’s like driving through a minefield. My bus spends more time in the mechanic’s workshop than on the road. We are suffering.

Economic Impact

The bad road has become more than a travel inconvenience, it’s an economic chokehold:

• Transport fares between Benin and Asaba have surged by over 40% in the past three months.
• Delivery times for goods have doubled, forcing businesses to factor in higher logistics costs.
• Perishable goods like vegetables, fish, and fruits often spoil en route due to gridlocks.

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), poor road conditions cost Nigeria’s economy over ₦1 trillion annually in wasted fuel, delayed deliveries, and vehicle repairs.

Safety Concerns

The road’s dilapidated state has also increased accident risks. FRSC records show that the Benin-Asaba axis recorded over 60 crash incidents in the first half of 2025 alone, many linked to:

• Sudden swerves to avoid potholes.
• Head-on collisions from wrong-lane driving.
• Brake failures due to constant stop-and-go traffic.

A commuter, Mrs. Patience Igwe, narrated a near-tragic experience:

“A truck lost control while trying to avoid a pothole and almost tipped over into our bus. If not for the driver’s quick reaction, we wouldn’t be alive to tell the story.”

Why Is the Road This Bad?

Investigations by RoadKing.ng reveal a mix of neglect, delayed projects, and heavy usage as the main causes:

1. Poor Maintenance Culture – Potholes are left unrepaired for years, allowing them to expand.

2. Overloading – The road bears an unregulated flow of tankers, trailers, and haulage trucks far above capacity.

3. Erosion and Drainage Failure – Seasonal rains wash away the surface due to blocked or nonexistent drainage.

4. Project Stagnation – Announced rehabilitation works have either stalled or progressed at a snail’s pace.

Calls for Immediate Action

Local residents and advocacy groups are urging authorities to treat the road crisis as an emergency:

• Edo State Government should collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works to speed up repairs.
• Deployment of security and traffic enforcement teams to manage bottlenecks and prevent opportunistic crimes.
• Introduction of temporary palliative measures such as gravel filling of the worst potholes pending full reconstruction.

Infrastructure policy analyst Engr. Bamidele Folarin warns that delay could worsen the situation:

“This is not just about comfort; it’s about economic survival. The Benin-Asaba Road carries millions of naira worth of goods daily. Neglecting it is sabotaging the region’s economy.”

Conclusion

The Benin-Asaba Road has become a glaring example of how poor infrastructure erodes safety, commerce, and quality of life. Until leaders prioritize its repair and enforce lasting maintenance measures, Edo and Delta residents will continue to pay the price in money, time, and lives.

References:

1. Federal Road Safety Corps – Crash Data Report (January–June 2025)

2. National Bureau of Statistics – Infrastructure Economic Impact Study (2024)

3. RoadKing.ng archives – Nigerian highway maintenance failures.

Port Harcourt, the oil capital of Nigeria, is known for its vibrant economy and bustling streets. But behind its commercial energy lies a grim reality, roads that seem to crumble faster than they are repaired.

Also Read: Port Harcourt-Eleme Road: The Oil City Lifeline in Ruins

Despite multiple rehabilitation projects over the past decade, potholes, erosion, and flooding remain a constant. The question is: What exactly is destroying Port Harcourt’s roads?

The Key Culprits

1. Overloaded Trucks and Tankers

Heavy-duty vehicles carrying petroleum products and construction materials far exceed legal axle weight limits. This causes road surfaces to crack prematurely.
FRSC statistics show that overloaded vehicles are responsible for over 40% of early road failures in Rivers State.

2. Poor Drainage Systems

Blocked drains and poorly designed culverts lead to standing water, which weakens asphalt and causes potholes. During the rainy season, waterlogging is so bad that some roads are impassable for weeks.

3. Substandard Construction Materials

Some contractors allegedly use lower-grade asphalt to cut costs, compromising durability. Combined with poor supervision, this leads to roads failing within months of completion.

4. Oil Spill Contamination

Oil leaks from tankers and pipelines seep into asphalt, breaking down the binding agents and accelerating erosion.

5. Neglect and Delayed Maintenance

By the time government agencies respond to damage reports, small cracks have already expanded into massive potholes requiring full reconstruction.

Real-World Impact

• Traffic Chaos – Vehicles slow to a crawl, increasing travel times and fuel costs.
• Vehicle Damage – Port Harcourt mechanics report a 20% increase in suspension and tyre repairs during rainy seasons.
• Economic Losses – Businesses face higher transportation costs, which are passed on to consumers.

What Needs to Be Done

Enforce Axle Load Limits

Weighbridges should be mandatory at all major road entry points into the city.

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Regular desilting and redesign of drainage systems to handle heavy rainfall.

Tighter Contractor Oversight

Third-party engineering audits should be compulsory before, during, and after road construction.

Prompt Repairs

Early intervention prevents potholes from becoming craters.

Conclusion

Port Harcourt’s road decay is not a mystery, it’s a mix of heavy trucks, poor construction, oil spills, and neglect. Unless there’s a shift in maintenance culture and accountability, the city’s road network will continue to deteriorate, affecting everyone from truck drivers to schoolchildren.

References:

1. Rivers State Ministry of Works – Road Maintenance Reports (2024)
2. Federal Road Safety Corps- Overloading Statistics (2023-2024)
3. RoadKing.ng archives – Port Harcourt infrastructure coverage