Residents and motorists in Edo State protested the poor condition of the Benin-Agbor Bypass on Thursday, August 20, 2026, calling for urgent repairs and insisting they do not want financial assistance from the government. The demonstration, which took place along the bypass, saw commuters stranded for hours due to heavy traffic and muddy sections that made driving extremely difficult.
Protesters demand road repairs over monetary aid
Videos from the scene captured by The Benin Blogger showed several vehicles, including trucks, struggling through muddy portions of the road while protesters gathered to demand government intervention. One protester appealed directly to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu, saying, “APC, we no dey collect money. Make una do our road for us. Tinubu, we no need money, make una do our road for us.” The crowd also chanted, “All we are saying, give us good road.”
Another resident reported that commuters had spent about four hours trying to navigate the route, highlighting the severity of the disruption. The protest underscores growing frustration with the condition of the Benin-Agbor corridor, a major route connecting communities and supporting movement between Edo and Delta states.
Reconstruction of Benin-Agbor-Asaba Expressway ongoing
The protest comes as reconstruction of the wider Benin-Agbor-Asaba Expressway is underway. The Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company (BAECC), which is handling the project, stated in June that construction had not been suspended or abandoned. According to the company, work continues on several sections of the approximately 145-kilometre highway, and contractors are expanding and strengthening drainage infrastructure in areas where construction had contributed to temporary flooding.
The project, which stretches from the Kings Square area of Benin City to the Summit Road Junction in Asaba, was officially launched in March 2025. Despite the ongoing work, road users continue to face difficult conditions on affected sections, with deep mud and large potholes making travel hazardous.
Edo government tackles road failures elsewhere
The protest also coincides with the Edo State Government's efforts to address road failures elsewhere in Benin City. Motorists and pedestrians are struggling to navigate deep mud and poor driving conditions on Okhun Road, off Upper Siluko Road. The government recently announced plans to rehabilitate the route, with Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa confirming that funds had been provided for the project in the 2026 budget and that procurement for the full rehabilitation had started. In the meantime, palliative work is being carried out to improve movement until comprehensive reconstruction can begin after the rainy season.
The latest protest shows that residents along the Benin-Agbor route are also seeking immediate relief, particularly as congestion and poor road conditions continue to make daily travel difficult.
