Susan Abayomi
The Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited (BAECC) has appealed to motorists and communities along the 125-kilometre corridor to exercise patience, assuring that construction will accelerate as the rainy season recedes.
The Chief Executive Officer of BAECC, Samuel Daramola, said the company remained committed to delivering the project despite challenges posed by persistent rainfall and the need to keep the busy highway open to traffic.
He acknowledged the difficulties faced by motorists, noting that the company was working to reduce inconvenience through palliative measures while advancing permanent reconstruction.
According to BAECC, work already carried out across various sections includes earthworks, subgrade preparation, drainage and culvert construction, asphalt and binder-course works, as well as carriageway expansion.
The company said it had also mobilised asphalt and concrete plants, paving equipment, Wet Mix Macadam plants and other specialised machinery, with billions of naira in private-sector resources committed to the project.
Daramola explained that rainfall had affected the pace and sequencing of some activities, particularly earthworks, pavement stabilisation and asphalt operations, but had not stopped construction.
He said BAECC was preparing for a major acceleration of permanent works from October, including drainage completion, pavement reconstruction, asphalt binder and wearing-course installation, culvert construction and other activities across multiple sections.
Additional personnel, equipment and construction resources are also being mobilised for the dry-season construction window.
“As the rains recede, Nigerians will see a significant acceleration of permanent works,” Daramola said.
He appealed to motorists and host communities to assess the project within its overall 36-month construction programme, assuring stakeholders that BAECC remained focused on delivering a safe, durable and reliable highway.
“The road people see during construction is not the road they will see at completion,” he said, urging motorists to exercise “a little more patience” as the company works to complete the project.
