The Federal Ministry of Works has begun assessing flood-affected sections along the Benin-Sagamu Expressway following torrential rainfall that disrupted movement on parts of the highway. The minister, Dave Umahi, has proposed targeted engineering interventions to prevent future flooding and improve safety.

According to sources, the three major flood-prone locations along the Ondo section of the expressway are Agofure at Km 100, Adolak Junction near Ore Flyover Bridge at Km 107, and the Agric Section at Km 117. The minister has assured road users that the ministry is committed to ensuring the safety and stability of the expressway.

Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, stated this on Monday while inspecting the affected sections at the Ore corridor in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. He said the recent intense rainfall had resulted in flooding in several communities and road corridors across the country, adding that the ministry had commenced technical evaluation to address the challenge.

The minister said the ministry was currently tracing the sources of the overflow to implement proactive solutions, including the potential resizing of cross-culverts and desilting blocked channels. He disclosed that the ministry was examining the causes of the overflow through hydraulic evaluation of existing culverts and drainage channels.

In light of increasing climate change impacts, all necessary technical steps are being taken swiftly to enhance drainage capacity, mitigate the impact of unprecedented storm runoff and ensure safe, uninterrupted passage along this highway, Umahi said. He also expressed the ministry's sympathy to commuters and residents affected by the flood.

The inspection was to identify flood-prone locations along major road corridors and find possible solutions, Engr Olajide Hussein, the Federal Controller of Works in Ondo State, said.

“The recent intense precipitation across the country has caused widespread flooding in various communities and along major road corridors, a phenomenon widely attributed to ongoing climate change impacts. We are currently tracing the sources of the overflow to implement proactive solutions, including the potential resizing of cross-culverts and desilting blocked channels.”

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Key Facts:

  • Agofure at Km 100, Adolak Junction near Ore Flyover Bridge at Km 107, and the Agric Section at Km 117 are flood-prone locations.
  • The recent intense rainfall resulted in flooding in several communities and road corridors across the country.
  • The ministry is examining the causes of the overflow through hydraulic evaluation of existing culverts and drainage channels.
  • The ministry is tracing the sources of the overflow to implement proactive solutions.
  • The ministry is taking necessary technical steps to enhance drainage capacity and mitigate the impact of unprecedented storm runoff.

The assessment aims to find possible solutions to the flooding on the Benin-Sagamu Expressway. The affected sections are along the Ondo section of the expressway.