‘Nigerians Are Suffering Here’ — Morris Monye Laments Prolonged Benin–Agbor Expressway Gridlock By Our Correspondent

Nigerian businessman and social commentator Morris Monye has expressed frustration over the prolonged gridlock on the Benin–Agbor Expressway, saying Nigerians have continued to suffer as motorists and travellers remain stranded along the major highway.

Monye, in a post on X on September 6, said the situation had persisted for more than a week and called on the Nigerian Government to urgently fix the road.

“More than a week and Nigerians are still stranded at the Benin-Expressway,” Monye wrote.

He also reacted to suggestions that the heavy passenger traffic being experienced at Nigerian airports was primarily a result of increased purchasing power rather than the deteriorating condition of the nation's roads.

“Someone said the reason airports are full is because of higher purchasing power, not the madness going on on our roads,” he added.

According to Monye, the government must urgently address the road crisis because “Nigerians are suffering here.”

The complaint comes amid a severe traffic crisis that has affected the Benin–Agbor corridor for weeks.

Reports from the route showed motorists, passengers and residents spending hours and, in some cases, days in traffic as failed portions of the road made movement extremely difficult.

Channels Television reported in August that the deteriorated condition of the Benin–Agbor Road had caused prolonged gridlock, disrupted commercial activities and left motorists frustrated. Some travellers were reportedly forced to abandon their vehicles and seek alternative means of transportation.

The situation also triggered protests by residents and road users demanding urgent repairs to the affected sections.

The worsening crisis eventually attracted the attention of the Federal Government, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directing the Ministry of Works to urgently intervene.

Works Minister David Umahi subsequently moved to implement the directive, with discussions involving the Edo and Delta state governments, the National Assembly and the Niger Delta Development Commission.

The Federal Government said the intervention was aimed at restoring movement and addressing the immediate difficulties faced by motorists on the corridor.

The road crisis has also generated criticism over the condition of a major interstate route connecting commercial centres in Edo and Delta states.

Despite the prolonged hardship, there have been signs of improvement.

Channels Television reported on September 2 that traffic on the Benin–Agbor Road had begun to ease following the commencement of remedial works on some of the affected sections.

However, the report noted that several failed portions of the highway remained, meaning motorists still had to navigate uneven and degraded sections.

The improvement has therefore not ended calls for a comprehensive reconstruction of the road.

Monye's intervention has added to growing public pressure on the government to move beyond temporary repairs and provide a lasting solution to the deteriorating highway.

For motorists, transport operators and businesses that depend on the Benin–Agbor corridor, the consequences extend beyond inconvenience. Prolonged traffic delays increase travel times, fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance costs and the cost of transporting goods.

The corridor is also an important route for the movement of people and commodities between the South-South and other parts of Nigeria.

As remedial works continue, motorists and residents are now looking to the Federal Government and relevant state authorities to ensure that the immediate intervention develops into a durable reconstruction of the failed sections.

For Monye and many other road users, the central demand remains straightforward: fix the road and end the suffering of stranded Nigerians.