December 18, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has announced plans to impose strict sanctions on owners of articulated vehicles found damaging federal roads across the country.
Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Mohammed Goronyo, disclosed this on Tuesday during the commissioning of the rehabilitated 58km Sokoto-Illela-Niger Republic highway in Sokoto State.
Goronyo lamented the significant annual expenditure on road rehabilitation and maintenance, warning that the government would no longer tolerate reckless behavior by road users that results in deliberate damage to federal roads.
To address these challenges, the Minister launched the Operation Safeguard Our Roads campaign, aimed at fostering a culture of road maintenance among road users.
Speaking at the event, Goronyo said, “Any articulated vehicle found damaging federal roads will be impounded, and the owners will be fined accordingly. This measure is intended to serve as a deterrent to other offenders. Road maintenance and safety are critical components of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda, and we will enforce strict compliance.”
He further highlighted the government’s commitment to infrastructural development, citing ongoing projects such as the Calabar Coastal Highway and the Badagry Federal Highway as part of President Tinubu’s vision for improved connectivity.
The Minister called on state and local governments, as well as citizens, to support the federal government by reporting unlawful activities on roads and taking responsibility for preserving road infrastructure.
While commissioning the Sokoto-Illela-Niger Republic highway, Goronyo emphasized the road’s socio-economic significance, noting that it fosters mutual bilateral business relationships between Nigerians and their counterparts in Niger Republic.
Earlier, the Minister inaugurated solar-powered streetlights on the road linking Sultan Abubakar International Airport. Describing the project as vital for travelers, Goronyo stated that it would enhance security surveillance and improve nighttime visibility for commuters.
He urged residents to protect the streetlights from vandalism, adding that the government would not tolerate criminal acts that undermine infrastructure development.
The Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Dr. Emeka Agbasi, commended Goronyo for his dedication to advancing President Tinubu’s *Renewed Hope Agenda* of national transformation.
FERMA’s Acting Coordinator for the Northwest Zone, Engr. Solomon Kwaghe, described the solar-powered streetlight project as part of the agency’s broader initiative to enhance road security and surveillance.
Both the road rehabilitation and streetlight projects were executed by FERMA, as part of its mandate to maintain and improve federal road infrastructure across the country.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
