Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
TRAVELLERS along the Benin–Warri corridor are enduring hours of agonising gridlock as a critical road connecting oil-producing states in the South-South remains heavily blocked, leaving commuters stranded in their vehicles late into the night.
A traveller who left Iléṣà in Osun State at 11am on Wednesday is still stuck along hundreds of other commuters while approaching the Sapele/Amukpe Junction as of 11pm—more than 11 hours after setting off on what should have been a considerably shorter journey.
The road, which serves as a vital artery linking the South-West to Delta State and other oil-producing regions, has been plagued by persistent traffic congestion for years over deplorable roads, with sources indicating the problem has persisted since before 2015.
Commuters Forced to Pay Exorbitant Fares to Cross Blockade
The situation has been compounded by trailers blocking the road, forcing desperate commuters to seek alternative means of crossing to the other side.
Stonix News gathered late night that commercial motorcycle operators, commonly known as Okada riders, have capitalised on the chaos, charging between ₦3,000 and ₦4,000 to ferry stranded passengers across the trailer-blocked sections of the road to the Amukpe-Sapele junction.
As darkness fell, travellers remain trapped in their vehicles, with no immediate relief in sight. One source described the journey from the South-West to Delta State as “a war”, particularly along the Benin–Warri axis.
Decades of Neglect Fuel Frustration
The gridlock has reignited frustration over the decades-long neglect of critical infrastructure in the region, with many blaming successive administrations for failing to address the recurring crisis.
”It is a shame that a road of such strategic importance to the nation’s economy has been allowed to deteriorate to this extent,” one stranded traveller lamented.
The situation has drawn sharp criticism of political leaders, with many expressing outrage that ordinary citizens continue to bear the brunt of poor governance.
”We travel in darkness, pay exorbitant fares, and lose hours of our lives on roads that should have been fixed years ago. Our leaders must be held accountable,” another commuter told our correspondent.
Calls for Urgent Intervention
The gridlock has once again highlighted the urgent need for rehabilitation and expansion of the Benin–Warri road, which serves as a crucial link for the movement of goods and persons across the South-South and South-West regions.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from the Federal Government or the Delta State Government regarding the situation.
Travellers are advised to exercise caution and consider alternative routes where possible, though options remain limited for those travelling between the South-West and the South-South.
