Minister of Works David Umahi has criticised the concessionaire handling the Benin-Asaba Highway reconstruction over the slow pace of work and poor construction practices, threatening the arrest of contractors found removing asphalt from existing roads.

During an inspection of the 125-kilometre highway, Umahi accused the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited of ignoring repeated directives and causing hardship for motorists and host communities.

The minister said portions of the road that were still in good condition had been unnecessarily tampered with, directing Federal Controllers of Works to arrest contractors who completely remove asphalt from existing roads.

Umahi assured motorists that a competent contractor would be engaged to address the critically damaged sections and improve traffic flow.

The concessionaire attributed the slow progress to heavy traffic and torrential rainfall, while federal lawmakers described the condition of the highway as unacceptable and called for a review of concession agreements nationwide.