The Benin–Agbor federal highway in Edo State is now earning infamy—not for its beauty or connectivity, but for how severely it has deteriorated. A newly circulated video shows the road riddled with large potholes, erosion, and makeshift detours, underscoring the hardship motorists endure daily.

A Route Once Vital, Now Impassable

The Benin–Agbor highway is a key link between the eastern and western corridors of Nigeria. It not only serves long-distance commercial traffic, but also connects communities in Edo, Delta, and neighboring states. Yet, the road has allegedly become so degraded that large portions are virtually unattended.

In a 2023 Vanguard investigative report, a journey from Asaba to Benin City took seven hours, a trip that should ordinarily take less than one hour—because of blockades, detours, and collapsed road sections. Vanguard News

One stretch—the Edo bypass area—was described as “completely unpassable,” forcing travelers to detour through bush paths under hardship and paying multiple illegal tolls by youths along the route. Vanguard News

Motorists and commuters say that even walking along parts of the road is treacherous. Trucks get stuck in craters, suspension systems are damaged, and travel time has ballooned. AIT LIVE+1

Voices from the Road

• Motorists’ Complaints: Drivers told AIT Live that the deterioration now extends over nearly four kilometers, affecting both lanes. The damage is especially bad in rainy seasons, making portions nearly impassable. AIT LIVE

• Business Impact: Traders near the road report reduced patronage as traffic avoids the route, slowing transport of goods and raising delivery costs. Vanguard News

• Illegal Tolling: In parts of the road where movement is constricted, local youths reportedly set up makeshift barricades and collect N100 to N200 from drivers just to proceed. Vanguard News+1

• Public Outcry: Residents, social media users, and commenters have voiced strong frustration. On platforms like Nairaland, users characterize the state’s governance as ineffective, demanding urgent intervention. Nairaland

Government Response & Palliative Works

The federal government has been criticized for neglect, given that the road is classified as a federal highway. Meanwhile, Edo State’s government, under Governor Godwin Obaseki, responded to the worsening reports by ordering palliative repairs on failed sections in the Ikpoba/Okha area. Vanguard News

However, these efforts seem limited. Some observers argue that palliatives (temporary fixes) are insufficient, and that full rehabilitation, proper drainage, and longer-term maintenance planning are needed.

What’s at Stake

• Human Costs: The poor road increases travel time, raises accident risk (especially at night or when rain obscures potholes), and causes wear and tear on vehicles.

• Economic Loss: Higher transport costs, slower delivery times, and reduced patronage for local businesses are direct consequences.

• Investor Confidence: Infrastructure decay can deter investments and create negative perceptions of governance within Edo State.

• Social Discontent: Citizens may view the neglect as political indifference, potentially fueling anger during campaign cycles or civic unrest.

What Needs to Happen

1. Comprehensive Rehabilitation: Not just patching holes, but resurfacing, proper culverts, drainage, and rebuilding subgrade layers where washed away.

2. Regular Maintenance Regime: Proactive maintenance, especially before and after rainy seasons, to prevent recurrence of collapse.

3. Transparent Contracts & Oversight: Open bidding, third-party audits, and citizen reporting to reduce corruption and ensure value.

4. Community Engagement: Residents and road users should have input into priorities, and a mechanism to report deterioration quickly.

5. Collaboration between Levels of Government: Federal and Edo State must coordinate, since the road is under federal jurisdiction but impacts state and local economies.

Conclusion

The video evidence and eyewitness reports make one reality unavoidable: the Benin–Agbor Road is no longer just “bad”—in many places, it is impassable. What was once a lifeline route has become an ordeal for drivers, traders, and residents. Unless bold and sustained action is taken, the situation will worsen, with heavier human and economic costs. EdoCelebrities calls on the Federal Government, Edo State, and relevant infrastructure agencies to accelerate rehabilitation and ensure that citizens do not suffer needlessly.