By Omoyeni Ojeifo
As anticipation builds for the completion of the multi-billion-naira Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Superhighway, rising acts of vandalism are putting the major infrastructure investment at risk, signalling the government’s introduction of highway guards nationwide soon.
Minister of Works Engr. Dave Umahi raised the alarm on Monday during a meeting in Abuja with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Umahi expressed grave concern after discovering that vandals have been carving into newly reconstructed concrete sections of the highway to extract underlying steel reinforcement bars.
“The level of effort being deployed by vandals to damage public infrastructure could instead be channelled into productive activities,” he said.
According to the minister, the government would introduce highway guards to protect the infrastructure, particularly as construction continues towards the completion of the corridor.
“We are going to inaugurate the highway guards on Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Super Highway soon.”
Umahi disclosed that about 118 kilometres of the highway had been completed on concrete pavement within 30 months, while work was continuing on the remaining 164 kilometres.
He noted that more than 80 per cent of the funding for the remaining section had been paid, with the Federal Government targeting November for completion of the entire stretch.
“The Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor remained one of the major infrastructure projects being delivered under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The minister also announced plans to install solar-powered streetlights at intervals along the highway and disclosed that about N782 billion would be required to complete legacy projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He added that the subsidy removal and borrowing were being channelled into road infrastructure, while other major projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor, were also being developed.
Umahi also urged Nigerian students to take active interest in national affairs and assess political leaders based on issues, policies and measurable performance rather than sentiments and personality attacks.
In his opening remarks, NANS President Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez explained that the honour was conferred on Umahi in appreciation of his hard work, commitment to high standards, and impactful leadership in developing road networks nationwide.
“We are here to recognize hard work and immeasurable service to humanity. Your landmark achievement in road infrastructure will open up our economy and create jobs for the teeming youths.”
Afeez stressed that the visit was also aimed at forging partnerships with the Works Ministry to enable students tour legacy projects of the Tinubu administration executed under Umahi’s leadership.
“Road infrastructure is particularly significant for our students as it will ease movement to examination venues for students, provide access to educational locations, reduce long hours of various vehicular movements across Nigeria and ensure that timeliness is achieved.”
The NANS President said the association had a duty to contribute to national development and described the scale of road projects completed under Umahi’s leadership as worthy of recognition.
Afeez also said the association was looking forward to a long-term partnership with the Works Ministry, which would give students the opportunity to see the projects first-hand and better understand their impact on Nigerians.
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