Reported by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to prioritise the rehabilitation and completion of deteriorating and abandoned roads before committing resources to additional construction projects, amid growing concerns over the condition of major highways across the country.
The call reflects renewed legislative concern about the impact of poor road infrastructure on transportation, economic activities, public safety and the movement of goods and people.
During deliberations on a report concerning the failed Onyagede–Ogobia Road in Benue State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole urged the Federal Ministry of Works to give greater attention to existing highways that have deteriorated while new road projects continue to receive government attention.
Oshiomhole specifically identified the Benin–Asaba, Benin–Warri and Auchi–Abuja highways as important transport corridors requiring urgent rehabilitation and maintenance.
He argued that existing roads serve as economic lifelines connecting communities, facilitating trade and supporting the movement of agricultural produce and other essential goods. Their deterioration, he said, creates unnecessary hardship for commuters, transport operators and businesses.
The Senate's deliberations also highlighted the condition of the 28-kilometre Onyagede–Ogobia Road in Benue State. Lawmakers were informed that only about two kilometres remained motorable, with severe structural damage, erosion and inadequate drainage affecting much of the route.
The Senate subsequently called for emergency rehabilitation while arrangements are made for comprehensive reconstruction, estimated at more than ₦15 billion.
Lawmakers also recommended improved funding for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), alongside measures to strengthen road maintenance, drainage systems and erosion control.
The debate comes as the Federal Government continues to pursue an extensive infrastructure programme involving new highways, reconstruction projects and the rehabilitation of existing routes.
On October 13, 2026, Minister of Works David Umahi said the administration was executing approximately 5,500 kilometres of new and ongoing road projects nationwide. He made the disclosure during the flag-off of the reconstruction and dualisation of the Lambata–Bida–Mokwa–Makera–Kontagora Federal Highway in Niger State.
The minister said Niger State accounted for 1,055 kilometres of the road projects covered by the programme.
The competing priorities have intensified public discussion about whether government spending should focus more heavily on repairing existing infrastructure before launching additional projects.
In September, the Federal Government announced emergency intervention works on the Benin–Asaba Expressway following concerns about its deteriorating condition. The 125-kilometre highway connects Edo and Delta states and serves as an important route for commercial and passenger traffic.
The Works Ministry said the intervention was necessary after the concessionaire responsible for the road was found to lack the technical and financial capacity to execute the project adequately.
The government subsequently initiated measures intended to restore movement along the corridor while pursuing a more durable solution.
The Senate's latest position underscores the importance of ensuring that infrastructure projects already approved and funded deliver practical benefits to Nigerians. It also raises questions about project supervision, budgetary priorities and the need to prevent public investments from deteriorating before completion.
For motorists and businesses, the condition of major highways has direct implications for travel time, vehicle maintenance costs, transportation charges and the movement of goods between states.
The Senate has called for increased funding for road maintenance and stronger oversight to ensure that available resources are used effectively.
The Federal Government has maintained that its infrastructure programme covers both new construction and ongoing projects across the country. The challenge will be ensuring that these investments translate into completed, safe and durable roads that meet the needs of road users.
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