From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
A prominent civil society group has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governors of Edo and Delta States to declare the Benin–Sapele–Warri highway an infrastructure emergency immediately, warning that the deteriorating road poses risks to lives, livelihoods, and regional stability.
This call was presented in the inaugural edition of ‘The Common Good Letter’, a monthly publication focused on public accountability, published in July 2026 by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ). The issue was made accessible to the media in Kaduna today.
The letter, signed by ANEEJ Executive Director Rev. David Ugolor, was directed to President Tinubu, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and political leaders from both states.
Ugolor described the Benin–Sapele–Warri corridor as “one of the greatest infrastructure failures in southern Nigeria,” noting that what should be a strategic entry point to the Niger Delta has degenerated into a zone of hardship, economic decline, and insecurity.
“Every day, thousands of Nigerians face hours of needless delays, damaged vehicles, rising transport costs, and significant economic losses,” he wrote.
“Businesses struggle to move goods. Farmers cannot access markets efficiently. Patients needing urgent medical attention face dangerous delays that can cost lives.”
The letter also pointed out increasing criminal activity along the road. Ugolor indicated that the highway’s poor condition has created opportunities for kidnappers and other criminals targeting stranded motorists.
“Families have endured kidnappings, paid large ransoms, buried loved ones, and continue to live with trauma caused by violence that should never have been permitted to flourish,” he stated.
Ugolor, a civil society advocate with over three decades of experience, emphasized that the issue has moved beyond mere road maintenance.
“This is no longer just a road maintenance problem. It is a public safety emergency, an economic crisis, and a governance failure,” he said.
He reminded that Edo and Delta were formerly part of the old Bendel State before 1991. He questioned whether the creation of two separate states has resulted in meaningful development when a vital connecting road remains in such poor shape.
The ANEEJ leader noted that successive governments have announced interventions and that the Federal Government has reportedly allocated substantial resources through the Federal Ministry of Works and the NDDC. Despite this, travelers have yet to see tangible improvements.
“Nigerians deserve timely project delivery, transparent implementation, and visible results that reflect the resources invested,” he added.
Ugolor highlighted that the current political landscape offers a rare chance for action, with the APC controlling both the Federal Government and the states of Edo and Delta.
“Never before has there been such an opportunity for seamless cooperation between these levels of government to address a challenge of immense regional and national importance,” he said.
To tackle the crisis, ANEEJ proposed five urgent steps, which include the following:
A Joint Infrastructure Emergency Declaration by the governors of Edo and Delta, supported by a Joint High-Level Intervention Task Force collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Works;
A Presidential Leadership to oversee accelerated reconstruction, streamline administrative processes, and ensure proper funding and oversight;
A Transparency and Accountability through the public release of contracts, funding updates, milestones, and completion timelines by the Ministry of Works and the NDDC:
An Independent Oversight involving civil society, engineering organizations, transport unions, traditional authorities, and local communities to monitor progress, and;
Immediate Safety Measures such as emergency repairs, traffic management, signage, lighting, and increased security patrols until full reconstruction is achieved.
Ugolor underscored the human toll of the road’s deterioration, listing traders, farmers, transport workers, students, patients, and families of kidnapping victims as those most affected.
“These are not isolated incidents. They are daily realities that require urgent public action,” he said.
The letter depicted the state of the corridor as a “test of leadership” for the President, governors, NDDC, and lawmakers.
“History remembers leaders who face tough problems with courage and cooperation. The condition of the Benin–Sapele–Warri corridor is such a moment,” Ugolor wrote.
“The people are not asking for miracles. They want safe roads, transparent governance, and effective leadership.”
He said that the highway should serve as “a national example of how collaboration, accountability, and political will can restore public trust and unlock economic opportunities.”
