Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, has moved swiftly to address the worsening condition of the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti road in Ekiti and Kogi States, as well as the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for urgent intervention to ease the hardship faced by motorists and commuters.
Mr Umahi, who expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the roads and the suffering of road users who have spent hours – and in some cases days – on the routes, said the Federal Government was determined to take immediate corrective measures whilst working towards permanent solutions.
“President Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently intervene and ensure that necessary corrective actions are taken to restore movement on the affected roads as quickly as possible,” said Mr Umahi.
The Minister, in response to the directive, has already set machinery in motion for immediate action. As part of the intervention, he directed the Minister of State for Works to lead a team of ministry officials to the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti axis to assess the situation and commence urgent remedial works.
The assignment was already underway as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, with officials of the Ministry on the ground to begin the intervention.
While the intervention team moved into Ekiti and Kogi States, Mr Umahi himself headed to Benin, Edo State, alongside members of the National Assembly Works Committees, to initiate a similar coordinated intervention on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road.
The Benin meeting is expected to bring together key stakeholders, including representatives of the Edo and Delta State Governments and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), with the aim of finding immediate solutions to the challenges confronting motorists on this strategic corridor.
Mr Umahi also took responsibility for the unfortunate situation on the affected roads and apologised to commuters who have been stranded or delayed for several hours and days.
He assured road users that the Federal Government’s response would go beyond temporary relief, with immediate measures being pursued alongside permanent solutions to restore the affected roads and improve their long-term reliability.
