By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The Federal Ministry of Works has commenced an assessment of flood-affected sections of the Benin-Sagamu Expressway following recent torrential rainfall that disrupted traffic along parts of the highway.
The Minister of Works, 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, the minister identified three major flood-prone locations in the Ondo axis of the highway as Agofure (Km 100), Adolak Junction near the Ore Flyover (Km 107) and the Agric Section (Km 117).
Umahi said the ministry had begun a technical evaluation of the affected areas and was considering engineering measures, including hydraulic assessments, culvert resizing and desilting of blocked drainage channels, to prevent future flooding.
He attributed the flooding to recent intense rainfall linked to climate change and assured motorists that urgent steps were being taken to improve drainage capacity, reduce stormwater runoff and ensure safe passage on the highway.
The minister also sympathised with commuters and residents affected by the flooding.
