Kenneth Yugbovwre Urges FG To Prioritise Full Rehabilitation of Benin–Warri Expressway

By factsreporter.

A conflict resolution scholar, Mr. Kenneth Yugbovwre, has called on the Federal Government to urgently commence the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Benin–Warri Expressway, describing the road as one of Nigeria’s most strategic highways and an economic lifeline for the South-South region.

Yugbovwre made the appeal in an open letter addressed to the Honourable Minister of Works, expressing concern over the deplorable condition of the federal highway and the hardship it continues to impose on motorists, commuters, transport operators, businesses, and residents.

According to him, the Benin–Warri Expressway serves as a vital transportation corridor linking Edo and Delta States with Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States, while facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services across the Niger Delta.

He lamented that for many years, the highway has remained in a state of disrepair, with several sections becoming almost impassable during the rainy season, resulting in frequent road accidents, prolonged traffic gridlock, vehicle damage, and significant economic losses.

Yugbovwre noted that while the Federal Government is investing heavily in major road infrastructure projects across the country, including the Lagos–Badagry–Sokoto Highway and the Coastal Highway, similar attention should be given to the Benin–Warri Expressway because of its strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy.

He stressed that the South-South region, being the nation’s major crude oil-producing zone and a significant contributor to national revenue, deserves road infrastructure that reflects its economic relevance.

The scholar commended Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for initiating palliative repairs on sections of the highway to ease the suffering of road users during the rainy season. However, he maintained that temporary interventions cannot replace the comprehensive reconstruction the road urgently requires.

He appealed to Governor Oborevwori to sustain engagements with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Works to secure approval for the permanent rehabilitation of the expressway.

Yugbovwre also called on the governors of Delta, Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States to unite in advocating for the complete reconstruction of the federal highway, saying a coordinated regional approach would reinforce the urgency of the project.

Describing the Benin–Warri Expressway as more than just a road, he said it is an economic gateway to the Niger Delta and a critical artery for national development.

He warned that every day without a lasting solution increases the hardship faced by millions of Nigerians and hampers economic activities in one of the country’s most productive regions.

Yugbovwre urged the Federal Government and the Honourable Minister of Works to act without further delay by approving and executing the full rehabilitation of the Benin–Warri Expressway, insisting that the era of temporary fixes should give way to a safe, modern, and durable highway that will serve the needs of the people and boost national economic growth.

Kenneth Yugbovwre holds an M.Phil. in Conflict Resolution from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and is currently resident in Sweden.