The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the Agbede and Okpella sections of the Benin-Okene Federal Highway. The motion was sponsored by Anamero Dekeri, who represents Etsako Federal Constituency in Edo State. It was debated during Thursday’s plenary. The road is a major corridor linking the south and north.
The Benin-Okene highway is one of Nigeria’s busiest. It carries goods and passengers between the southern ports and the northern markets. It also connects to Abuja. The road has deteriorated for years. In 2023, travellers complained of gridlock that lasted days. In 2024, a section collapsed. In 2025, the government announced repairs. The work has not been completed. Successive administrations have promised to fix the corridor. The promises have not matched the funding or the execution.
Dekeri said the Agbede and Okpella sections are in deplorable condition. Movement has become hazardous. Journeys that take a short time now stretch into hours or days. The situation has caused physical exhaustion, lost productive time and higher transport costs.
He said residents along the corridor bear a disproportionate share of the consequences. The dust, noise and bottlenecks disrupt daily life. Public health suffers. Many residents have abandoned their homes and relocated. He said the highway is a national economic and security concern. Continued neglect could lead to loss of lives, displacement and property damage.
The House urged the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA to mobilise contractors and provide funding for immediate reconstruction. It asked relevant authorities to provide safe alternative routes so residents can access their homes. It mandated its Committees on Works and FERMA to monitor compliance and report back within four weeks.
The motion reflects a broader pattern. The House frequently passes resolutions on roads. Implementation depends on the executive. Funding is often delayed. Contractors abandon sites. The residents wait. Four weeks will pass. The road will remain.
Winners: Contractors, if the road is awarded. The House, which showed concern. Residents, if repairs follow. The Ministry of Works, which gained a directive. Losers: Motorists, who face continued delays. Residents, who face displacement. Traders, whose goods spoil in transit. The government, if the resolution is ignored. Taxpayers, if funds are misused.
Bottom Line: The road is failing. The House demands emergency action. The executive must respond. Funding must follow. Contractors must deliver. Residents cannot wait forever. The road is a lifeline. It must work.