The Federal Government has expressed concerns over increasing cases of vandalism and misuse of newly constructed and ongoing road projects in parts of the country, warning that such actions threaten the longevity and safety of key national infrastructure projects.
Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, issued the warning on Saturday at Jere point of the ongoing Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project, where he decried acts of sabotage and carelessness by some residents along completed and ongoing road corridors.
Goronyo regretted reports of individuals damaging road sections, removing safety railings, or converting portions of highways into dumping and drying grounds, particularly along the Jaji Bridge corridor in Kaduna State.
Decrying the new culture of refuse collectors, popularly known as Mai Bolla, vandalising iron components of the concrete pavement of the ongoing road construction, the Minister said, “Maintenance means a lot. Preventing road abuse is part of road maintenance. We have noticed people going overnight to break newly completed roads or remove vital components.
“Along the Jaji Bridge, for instance, some residents have tampered with structures to pass cables or place logs across the bridge. These are acts of vandalism that must stop.”
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents to take ownership of public infrastructure and discourage harmful practices that shorten the lifespan of roads, noting that such damage forces the government to divert taxpayers’ money meant for other vital public services into repeated repairs.
(The Nation)
