Business activities across the south-south on Monday, August 24, were disrupted by a five-day gridlock triggered by worsening conditions on major roads.
Whereas the full effects of the crisis are difficult to estimate, manufacturers said they have lost over N500 billion to factory closures, trapped and damaged raw materials.
The prolonged traffic paralysis, particularly along the Benin-Sapele-Effurun Road, has left commuters stranded for days while thousands of trucks carrying raw materials, finished products and essential commodities remain trapped on the roads.
Videos circulating on social media show commuters abandoning vehicles and trekking long distances, while commercial motorcycles have become major means of escaping the gridlock.
Truck operators have spent up to a week on the road, with some goods already damaged or spoiled.
The gridlock has spread across the Edo Smstate capital and major towns in the state, disrupting businesses across the ancient city of Benin.
Other roads, including Benin-Auchi Road, which connects Ondo/Edo to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Benin-Agbor-Onitsha Road, which connects the south west and south east, are not spared.
Travellers from the south east to south west, a journey that previously took six to 10 hours, now spend as many as 24 hours on the road, a problem that has heightened safety concerns for families across the country.
The two major inter-state transport companies have stopped services on the route as their buses that left for Lagos three days ago were yet to return as at press time.
On Sunday, GUO was said to have increased Lagos-Warri fare to N55,000 but suspended service pending when normalcy returns.
For millions of poor Nigerians who cannot afford flight tickets, which exchange for as much as N300,000 for a return trip, the gridlock resulting from dilapidated roads has further limited travelling options.
The crisis-ridden Benin-Sapele-Effurun Road was constructed during the administration of president Olusegun Obasanjo and was rated as one of the best in the country after its delivery.
But years of neglect and zero maintenance have turned it into a death trap in the intervening years.
After years of anguish, the Delta state government has awarded a N35 billion contract for the reconstruction of 10 kilometres at the Effurun end of the road, a contract handled by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
But those familiar with the terrain said nothing short of reconstruction of the entire stretch would save the road.
The federal government said it is moving in to intervene in the crisis.
Assistant director, federal ministry of works, Olufemi Dare, said the minister of works, David Umahi would visit the affected corridor to assess the situation.
“He will be at the location and palliative works are going to start tomorrow (today) as well. That is all I can say for now,” Dare said.
Nigeria is at a crossroads in terms of new road needs and the demand for maintenance, a dilemma that is drawing interesting debate ahead of the 2027 election.
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