? Introduction: A Trip from One Hell to Another
On March 15, 2025, what should’ve been a straightforward 100 km drive from Benin City to Warri became a harrowing ordeal. The Benin–Warri highway—once a flourishing federal artery—is now impassable, choked with craters, collapsed sections, and near-constant gridlock .
⚠️ A Highway of Death
- Crater-sized potholes force tankers and trucks into slow-motion standoffs, causing repeated accidents—even fiery ones—with tragic loss of life .
- Security threats—hijackings, robberies in isolated stretches—compound the danger .
? Lives & Livelihoods on the Line
This collapsing road has become a choke point for economic activity. Businesses around Benin and Warri are suffering. Transport tariffs have doubled, while commuters waste hours trapped in convoys—a direct assault on national development .
? Media Reports Confirm the Crisis
- ThisDay branded federal highways “death traps” citing loss of life from fuel tanker explosions and mass casualties .
- Investigative reporting by The Nation and Punch revealed deep craters, frequent gridlock, trucks stuck, and frustrated commuters .
- The Sapele–Benin stretch is identified as especially hazardous, with persistent disruption to commerce and movement .
? Trials & Temporary Fixes
NDDC recently launched palliative repairs on bad spots like Amukpe, Mosogor, and Ologbo, acknowledging the crisis . .
?️ Neglect & Misplaced Priorities
Despite federal allocations, state governments and the Minister of Works prioritize flashy projects like the Coastal Highway over fundamental infrastructure. This neglect suggests grave misalignment in national priorities .
✅ Demanding a Declaration of Emergency
Given the loss of life, economic impact, and security threats, it is time to:
- Declare a state of emergency on the Benin–Warri highway.
- Immediately repair and reconstruct the road with modern engineering standards.
- Deploy security to protect commuters during repairs.
- Hold responsible agencies accountable and allocate necessary funds now.
? Convocation Reality Amid Crisis
At the FUPRE convocation in Warri, dignitaries like Aliko Dangote and Femi Bajomo endured this ordeal. Their experience should be a wake‑up call: Nigeria cannot afford infrastructure that cannot greet its achievers.
? Conclusion
The Benin–Warri highway stands not just as a road but as a symbol—of broken infrastructure, bureaucratic failure, and government apathy. For the safety of citizens and the viability of national development, this highway must be repaired—urgently and comprehensively.
? Tags
Benin–Warri, Infrastructure Crisis, Federal Highways, NDDC, Public Safety, Nigeria, State of Emergency