Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, don raise alarm say di practice wey fuel tankers and oda heavy-duty vehicles dey park for newly constructed roads dey threaten di durability of national infrastructure. Di minister talk dis matter during inspection of Aleto Bridge project for Rivers State on Saturday, March 21, according to statement wey him Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nweze, release for Abuja yesterday.
“Yesterday, I dey pass through dis road and di entire stretch wey we don complete dey totally block—not by moving vehicles, but by fuel tankers wey dey park for road,” Nweze quote di Minister say. Umahi emphasize say no road infrastructure dey design to withstand prolonged static loading from heavy vehicles. “No road project anywhere for world dey design for static loads; dem go destroy di road,” di minister talk.
With total project cost wey exceed N230 billion—N156 billion for phase one and N83 billion for phase two—di Minister stress di need to safeguard such significant investments. “Is dat wetin we go fold our hands allow dem destroy?” di minister ask. Di Aleto Bridge project na landmark engineering effort wey feature modern concrete pavement technology, solar-powered lighting, environmental landscaping, and reinforced structural components.
Umahi express satisfaction with di pace and quality of work wey contractor, RCC, dey deliver, while also commend President Bola Tinubu for him decisive intervention to sustain di project. “I want commend RCC highly and thank Mr President for him commitment to Niger Delta,” di minister talk. Umahi explain say although funding by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited cease for August 2025, di President promptly approve alternative funding mechanism, ensure say work continue without interruption.
“We no dey owe RCC for dis project. E be highly technical project, and I dey very pleased with quality of work,” di minister add. Di minister warn say if di practice of parking heavy vehicles on new roads continue, e go lead to premature deterioration of infrastructure wey cost billions of naira to construct.
Di inspection visit to Aleto Bridge project show di federal government commitment to infrastructure development for Niger Delta region. Di project dey expected to improve transportation connectivity and boost economic activities for di area once e complete. Di minister advise relevant authorities to enforce regulations wey go prevent parking of heavy vehicles on newly constructed roads.
Dis warning come at time wen Nigeria dey invest heavily in road infrastructure development across di country. Proper maintenance and protection of these investments remain crucial for di long-term benefits to di economy and citizens. Di minister call for cooperation from all stakeholders to preserve di integrity of road infrastructure wey dey constructed with public funds.
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