Flooding: FG Begins Assessment of Affected Benin-Sagamu Expressway Sections

The Federal Ministry of Works has commenced an assessment of flood-affected sections of the Benin-Sagamu Expressway following recent heavy rainfall that disrupted traffic along parts of the highway.

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed this on Monday during an inspection of the affected sections at the Ore corridor in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Ondo State, Engr. Olajide Hussein, Umahi identified three major flood-prone locations along the Ondo section of the expressway as Agofure at Km 100, Adolak Junction near the Ore Flyover Bridge at Km 107, and the Agric Section at Km 117.

He said the ministry was proposing targeted engineering interventions at the identified locations to prevent future flooding and improve safety along the highway.

According to the minister, the inspection was aimed at identifying flood-prone sections along major road corridors and developing lasting solutions to address the problem.

Umahi noted that the recent heavy rainfall had triggered flooding in several communities and road corridors nationwide, prompting the ministry to begin a technical evaluation of affected areas.

He said engineers were currently carrying out hydraulic assessments of existing culverts and drainage channels to determine the causes of the flooding.

“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,” he said.

Umahi assured motorists that the ministry remained committed to ensuring the safety and stability of the expressway.

“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,” he added.

He also sympathised with commuters and residents affected by the flooding.