By Charles Udeh

On March 15, 2025, I embarked on what should have been a simple 100-kilometer trip from Benin City to Warri for the 4th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State. Instead, I found myself navigating a treacherous path that resembled a war zone rather than a federal highway.

The Benin-Warri road—an essential artery of commerce and development—has deteriorated into a punishing test of endurance. The road is riddled with crater-sized potholes, jagged surfaces, and long-abandoned sections that transform even the shortest journey into a nightmare. Rather than a modern transport link, it has become an unpaved stretch of suffering, where only the luckiest and most skilled drivers make it through unscathed.

A Highway of Death

The sheer volume of tankers, trucks, and trailers crawling along the road only worsens the chaos. These massive vehicles, forced into slow-motion maneuvers to avoid craters, turn the highway into a never-ending funeral procession—symbolic of Nigeria’s crumbling infrastructure. Worse still, the frequent accidents and breakdowns further obstruct movement, with some crashes resulting in infernos that claim lives and destroy livelihoods.

Statistics on road fatalities along the Benin-Warri highway are staggering. Over the past year, multiple reports have documented horrific accidents caused by the road’s appalling state. Vehicles overturn, trailers lose control, and innocent travelers meet untimely deaths, all because of governmental negligence. The road is not just an inconvenience; it is a silent executioner.

The Bitter Truth: No One Cares

It is both tragic and ironic that while roads in the Southeast are choked with police and military checkpoints—often turned into extortion points—the Benin-Warri road remains largely abandoned by security personnel. Perhaps even they recognize the futility of collecting bribes from drivers already paying the ultimate price with their vehicles and sanity.

Among the guests at the convocation was the Governor of Edo State. Unless he arrived by helicopter or discovered a secret passage unknown to ordinary mortals, he, too, must have endured the torture. Did he have a moment of realization? Or, like most politicians, did he conveniently “forget” the experience as soon as he arrived?

Economic Devastation and Human Suffering

The economic implications of this infrastructural neglect are profound. Businesses along the route suffer crippling losses as transporters inflate fares to compensate for damages. Supply chains slow to a crawl, and once-thriving enterprises now struggle to survive. The only beneficiaries are spare parts dealers, who thrive at the expense of every other industry.

Beyond economics, the psychological toll on commuters is severe. Every journey is an ordeal filled with frustration, delays, and fear. Productivity is lost as countless hours are wasted on a road that should take a fraction of the time. The risk of death lurks at every turn, making the highway a place where prayers often replace casual conversations.

The Great NDDC Mirage

If the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) had fulfilled even a fraction of its mandate, the Benin-Warri road would be a model of efficiency, not an emblem of failure. Instead, billions of naira vanish into ghost contracts, endless “rehabilitation” projects, and the pockets of corrupt bureaucrats.

Ironically, the federal allocations to Edo and Delta States far exceed the combined allocations of the five Southeastern states. Yet, despite this wealth, their critical infrastructure remains in deplorable condition. Why is it that states with such massive financial inflows cannot fix a single road that is vital to their economies?

The Minister of Works and the Coastal Highway Distraction

It is unconscionable that the Minister of Works, rather than prioritizing the repair of this critical road, has chosen to divert funds obtained from the resources of Delta and Edo States into the phantom Coastal Highway project. This misplaced priority exemplifies the government’s penchant for embarking on grandiose, media-hyped projects while ignoring the fundamental infrastructure that supports daily life.

What is the point of building castles in the air when the very foundation of regional commerce—the roads—is sinking into decay? The Benin-Warri road deserves urgent attention, not empty promises and misallocated resources.

Declare a State of Emergency Now!

The Benin-Warri road requires more than political lip service—it demands immediate and decisive action. If billions can be raised for libraries, monuments, and other ceremonial structures, why can’t the same urgency be applied to a road that determines life and death?

It is time for the federal and state governments to declare a state of emergency on this road and other key highways that serve as the lifeblood of commerce and transportation. A complete overhaul is not just desirable—it is essential for the survival of businesses, commuters, and entire communities.

A Return to the Same Nightmare

On my return journey from Warri to Benin, I held onto a flicker of hope that my outbound experience had been a mere coincidence. Alas, my optimism was misplaced. The road remained in its unforgiving horror—a relentless torture chamber on wheels.

This return trip only reinforced the harsh reality: unless drastic action is taken, this road will continue to be a death trap. It is only a matter of time before more lives are lost, more businesses collapse, and another generation of Nigerians grows up accustomed to suffering that should never have been normalized.

The Event That Brought Me Here

Forgive me for dwelling on the horrors of this road rather than the main event of the day—the 4th Convocation Ceremony of FUPRE. It was a celebration of excellence, honoring industry leaders who have shaped Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Among the distinguished honorees were:

Aliko Dangote – President/CEO, Dangote Group

Sholaye Jeremi – CEO/MD, Speyer Limited

Chief Dr. Leemon A. Ikpea, J.P., CON – Group Chairman/CEO, Lee Engineering Group

Dr. Seinye Lulu-Briggs – Chairman/CEO, Moni Pulo Limited

Engr. Gbenga Komolafe (FNSE) – Chief Executive, NUPRC

Femi Bajomo – Managing Director, First Hydrocarbon Nigeria

These titans of industry have transformed Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. But one cannot help but wonder: will their influence ever extend to fixing the very infrastructure that sustains their businesses?

Final Word: A Call to Action

If you must travel the Benin-Warri road, fasten your seatbelt, say a prayer, and prepare for battle. However, this should not be our reality. Nigerians must demand better. Edo and Delta States must rise above complacency. The federal government must prioritize human lives over political grandstanding.

This road must be fixed—now. Enough is enough.

**Charles Ude Esq, Abuja -based legal practitioner and public opinion analyst.