The Federal Ministry of Works has commenced an assessment of flood-affected sections of the Benin-Sagamu Expressway following recent torrential rains that disrupted traffic along parts of the highway.
Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, disclosed this on Monday during an inspection of the affected areas 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 said the visit was aimed at identifying flood-prone locations along major road corridors and developing lasting engineering solutions to address the recurring challenge.
He identified three critical flood-prone points along the Ondo axis 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.
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According to the minister, the ministry is proposing targeted engineering interventions at the affected locations to prevent future flooding, strengthen drainage infrastructure and improve safety for motorists.
Umahi noted that the recent heavy rainfall had triggered flooding in several communities and road corridors nationwide, a situation he linked to the growing impact of climate change.
He revealed that engineers were conducting hydraulic evaluations of existing culverts and drainage channels to determine the causes of the flooding and identify permanent solutions.
“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.
The minister assured road users that the ministry remained committed to safeguarding the highway through prompt technical interventions.
“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 added.
He also sympathized with commuters and residents affected by the flooding, assuring them that efforts were underway to restore normalcy and prevent future occurrences.
