By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the Agbede and Okpella sections of the Benin-Okene Federal Highway in Edo State, following the worsening condition of the road and its adverse impact on commuters, residents and economic activities.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved on Wednesday by Anamero Dekeri, who represents Etsako East/Etsako West/Etsako Central Federal Constituency of Edo State.
Moving the motion, Dekeri said the affected sections of the highway had deteriorated significantly, making travel increasingly difficult and dangerous for motorists, commercial drivers, commuters and other road users.
He lamented that the deplorable condition of the road had subjected travellers to prolonged delays, with journeys that ordinarily should take a few hours sometimes extending into several hours or even days.
“The House is disturbed that the failed sections of the road, particularly around Agbede and Okpella, have subjected commuters to prolonged delays,” he said.
The lawmaker said the situation had resulted in physical exhaustion, loss of productive time, increased transportation costs and unnecessary hardship for road users.
He also drew attention to the impact of the deteriorating highway on communities along the corridor, citing persistent dust, noise and traffic congestion as factors disrupting daily activities and posing public health risks.
Of particular concern, Dekeri disclosed that the worsening condition of the road had forced some residents to abandon their homes and relocate to safer areas, underscoring the disruption to community life.
He described the Benin-Okene Federal Highway as a critical transportation corridor linking the southern and northern parts of the country and facilitating the movement of people, agricultural produce and other goods.
The highway forms part of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okpella-
The renewed demand for emergency intervention comes against the backdrop of previous Federal Government efforts to address the deteriorating condition of the wider highway corridor.
In March 2024, the Federal Ministry of Works directed contractors handling the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okpella-
In February 2025, the Federal Government also flagged off the dualisation of sections of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okpella-
Despite these interventions, the continued deterioration of the Agbede and Okpella sections has renewed calls for urgent and more decisive action to restore the highway to a motorable condition.
Dekeri warned that failure to address the situation could lead to further loss of lives, displacement of residents, destruction of property and worsening economic hardship.
He therefore called for immediate intervention beyond routine maintenance, urging the government to undertake urgent remedial works alongside comprehensive rehabilitation to provide a lasting solution.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the affected sections to facilitate immediate and comprehensive intervention.
It also called on the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to “urgently mobilise contractors and provide the necessary funding and technical support for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected portions.”
The lawmakers further urged the Ministry of Works to provide safe and accessible alternative routes for residents of Agbede and Okpella, particularly those whose homes and communities have been cut off by the failed sections.
They said the provision of alternative routes would enable affected residents to access their homes and carry on with their daily activities while rehabilitation work continues.
The House stressed that urgent action was necessary to restore the highway, safeguard lives and property, and ease the hardship faced by commuters and communities whose social and economic activities depend on the road.