By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has raised serious concern over the damaging practice of parking fuel tankers and other heavy-duty vehicles on newly constructed roads, warning that such actions pose direct threat to the durability and lifespan of critical national infrastructure.
This was contained in a statement signed and issued by Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media), Francis Nwaze.
The Minister made this known during an inspection of the Aleto Bridge project, Rivers State, at the weekend.
He said that
“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 emphasized that no road infrastructure is designed to withstand prolonged static loading from heavy vehicles.
“No road project anywhere in the world is designed for static loads, they will destroy the road.”
With the total project cost exceeding ₦230 billion ₦156 billion for phase one and ₦83 billion for phase two the Minister stressed that such investments must be protected.
“Is that what we should fold our hands and allow it to be destroyed?”
The Minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work being delivered by the contractor, RCC, while also commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decisive intervention in sustaining the project.
“I want to thank RCC very highly and commend Mr President for his heart of love toward the Niger Delta,” the Minister stated.
He explained that although funding by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited ceased in August 2025, the President promptly approved an alternative funding mechanism, ensuring that work continued uninterrupted.
“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.”
The Minister described the Aleto Bridge Project as a landmark engineering effort, incorporating modern concrete pavement technology, solar-powered lighting, environmental landscaping, and reinforced structural features.
In line with the Federal Government’s commitment to human capital development, the Minister disclosed plans to integrate young Nigerian engineers into the project through a mentorship programme championed by President Tinubu.
“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 and it is a technical project to behold.”
Providing an update on timelines, the Minister noted that one carriageway of the project is expected to be completed before May 25, 2026, with the first phase projected for full completion by August 2026.
“They have promised me that before May 25th that one carriageway of this very innovative construction will be completed and before August the first phase of this project would have been totally completed.”
He further expressed confidence that the second phase, which includes multiple flyovers and bridges, will be delivered within the year.
The Minister also highlighted the strategic redesign of the project from asphalt to concrete pavement, a decision directed by the President to ensure long-term 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.”
The Honourable Minister concluded by calling on Nigerians, particularly road users and transport operators, to take collective responsibility in safeguarding 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.”
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
