BAECC Seeks Patience From Motorists, Promises Faster Work on Benin-Asaba Expressway From October

The Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited has asked motorists and communities along the corridor to be patient as it prepares to speed up construction on the 125-kilometre highway.

Chief Executive Officer of BAECC, Samuel Daramola, made the appeal in a statement on Saturday. He said the company is committed to delivering the project despite challenges caused by heavy rainfall and the need to keep the road open during reconstruction.

Daramola acknowledged the difficulties motorists have faced on the road. He said the company’s responsibility is to build a permanent road while also ensuring that traffic continues to move during construction.

The Benin-Asaba Expressway is being reconstructed under a 36-month programme. The scope of work includes earthworks, drainage systems, pavement construction, culverts, carriageway expansion and traffic management. Production facilities have also been installed for the project.

According to BAECC, substantial work has already been done on different sections of the road. This includes subgrade preparation, drainage and culvert construction, asphalt and binder-course works, and expansion of the carriageway.

The company has mobilized asphalt plants, concrete batching plants, paving equipment, wet mix macadam plants and other construction equipment to site. BAECC said billions of naira in private-sector funding have been committed to equipment, materials, logistics and supporting infrastructure.

Daramola explained that much of the preparatory work may not be visible to road users but is necessary before asphalt laying begins. He said drainage, earthworks and pavement preparation must come first.

One of the major challenges in the current phase has been persistent rainfall. BAECC said saturated ground conditions have affected earthworks, pavement stabilization and asphalt operations. However, the CEO said the rain has only affected the sequencing of activities and has not stopped construction.

He added that where permanent pavement work is not possible due to rain, the team continues with other engineering activities and palliative interventions on bad sections.

Reconstructing the busy corridor while keeping it open to thousands of motorists, buses and trucks has also slowed progress. Daramola said the company sometimes reopens treated sections earlier than ideal in order to reduce congestion.

BAECC said it will continue palliative works on difficult sections to ease hardship while permanent reconstruction continues.

The company is now preparing for a major acceleration of work from October when the weather is expected to improve. The plan includes completion of drainage, pavement reconstruction, asphalt binder and wearing-course installation, and culvert construction across multiple sections. Additional personnel and equipment are also being mobilized for the dry season.

Daramola appealed to motorists and host communities to assess the project within the full construction programme and not only by current conditions.

He said the company is asking for time and opportunity to deliver the project, and urged Nigerians to judge it by the quality, durability and safety of the final highway.

BAECC also pledged to continue working with the Federal Government, relevant agencies and host communities to deliver a safe and reliable road.

The CEO concluded that the road people see during construction will not be the same as the road at completion.