Fix Warri-Benin Highway Now, Niger Delta Youths Tell Tinubu
A prominent sociopolitical group in the South-South region, the Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC), has issued a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address the worsening condition of the Warri-Sapele-Benin Highway, describing the road as a “death trap” and a major threat to economic growth in the region.
In an open letter signed by its leader, Bene Mamamu, and made available to journalists in Warri on Sunday, the group expressed deep concern over the federal government’s continued neglect of the highway, which they said plays a vital role in the movement of goods and services between the Niger Delta and other parts of the country.
“The failed state of the Warri-Sapele-Benin Highway has reached a critical point,” the statement read. “It is not just an infrastructure issue; it is a national economic emergency.
This road is a major artery for trade and commerce, linking several states and facilitating the transportation of agricultural produce, petroleum products, manufactured goods, and other essential supplies.”
The NDYC lamented that the deplorable state of the road has already led to the collapse of many small and medium-scale businesses in the region.
According to the group, vehicles transporting goods are frequently stranded for days, while others get involved in avoidable accidents due to the dangerous state of the road.
“Every day, commuters and transporters are forced to navigate massive craters, eroded sections, and waterlogged portions of the road. The frequent toppling of heavy-duty trucks on these bad spots is not only disrupting supply chains but also creating a high risk of fatal accidents and explosions,” the group warned.
They stressed that the consequences of continued neglect could be catastrophic not only for businesses but also for human lives. “We are alarmed by the potential for deadly accidents, including fuel tanker explosions that could wipe out entire families and communities,” the statement added.
The group also pointed out that despite numerous complaints over the years, successive administrations have failed to give the road the attention it deserves. They urged President Tinubu to break that cycle and take decisive action by ordering immediate reconstruction and rehabilitation of the highway.
“The Niger Delta has contributed immensely to the nation’s economy, and we deserve basic infrastructure to support growth and development,” Mamamu said. “Fixing the Warri-Sapele-Benin Highway will not only ease transportation but will also revive economic activity and restore hope to the people of the South-South.”
The group concluded by reiterating its call for the federal government to prioritize infrastructure development in the Niger Delta, warning that continued neglect could spark growing discontent and deepen the sense of marginalization in the oil-rich region.
