FG raises alarm over road misuse, warns against parking of tankers on highways

The Federal Government has raised concern over the increasing misuse of newly constructed roads, particularly the parking of fuel tankers and other heavy-duty vehicles, warning that the practice threatens the durability of critical infrastructure across the country.

David Umahi, the Minister of Works,  gave the warning during an inspection of the Aleto Bridge project in River State on Saturday.

Umahi expressed displeasure over the obstruction of a completed section of the road by stationary fuel tankers, stressing that such actions could significantly damage the infrastructure.

“Yesterday I was passing through this road, the entire road we have completed was totally blocked not by moving vehicles but fuel tankers, they parked on the road,” he said.

He explained that roads are not designed to withstand prolonged static loads from heavy-duty vehicles, warning that such misuse accelerates deterioration.

“No road project anywhere in the world is designed for static loads; they will destroy the road,” the minister added.

Highlighting the scale of investment on the project, Umahi noted that the Aleto Bridge development costs over ₦230 billion, with ₦156 billion allocated to phase one and ₦83 billion to phase two. He stressed the need to safeguard such investments.

“Is that what we should fold our hands and allow it to be destroyed?” he queried.

The minister, however, expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work by the contractor, RCC, and commended for ensuring continuity of the project through alternative funding after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited halted financing in August 2025.

“We are not owing RCC on this project it is a very, very highly skilled and technical project and I’m very happy with the quality of work,” he stated.

Umahi described the project as a landmark engineering feat, featuring concrete pavement technology, solar-powered lighting, environmental landscaping, and reinforced structural components.

He also disclosed plans to incorporate young Nigerian engineers into the project under the President’s mentorship programme, aimed at building technical capacity.

“We are making efforts on President Tinubu mentorship programme where young engineers will come and study what we’re doing here. They are our future leaders,” he said.

On project timelines, the minister revealed that one carriageway is expected to be completed before May 25, 2026, while phase one is scheduled for completion by August 2026. He added that the second phase, which includes flyovers and bridges, is expected within the year.

Umahi further noted that the project was redesigned from asphalt to concrete pavement on the directive of the President to ensure durability.

“We inherited this project from zero ground. It was the President that directed that we should redesign using concrete and then you can see the result,” he said.

He urged Nigerians, especially road users and transport operators, to take responsibility for protecting public infrastructure.

“Let us protect our own. The minister cannot be here and everywhere. The road is being done and it’s been perfectly done but we have a duty to protect it,” Umahi added.