South-South Faces Severe Federal Road Infrastructure Crisis

The South-South geopolitical zone, comprising six states, has the worst network of federal roads in Nigeria, despite its substantial hydrocarbon deposits and contributions to the nation's foreign exchange. For over 25 years, there has been no significant federal road investment, with the last major project being the Benin-Asaba expressway during the early Obasanjo administration.

The only recent development is the 40-km Bonny-Bodo Road, completed under the Buhari administration. The dire state of the roads was highlighted when travelers were stranded for days near Agbor in Delta State due to poor conditions on the Benin-Asaba Road.

David Umahi, the Minister of Works, criticized the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC) for incompetence in road construction, particularly for stripping asphalt without proper drainage, which led to further erosion and damage. Umahi expressed frustration over the lack of technical capacity in the concessionaire and directed that any unauthorized removal of asphalt should be met with legal action.