‎Tinubu Govt Moves to Protect Bridges, Bans Mining Activities

‎Tinubu Govt Moves to Protect Bridges, Bans Mining Activities – Umahi
‎Umahi Fixes April 28 for Enugu–Onitsha Road Completion
‎Enugu–Onitsha Road: FG Assures Completion, Installs Solar Lights

‎The Federal Government has banned all forms of mining activities within a 10-kilometre radius of bridges across Nigeria as part of measures to protect critical infrastructure and enhance road safety.

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‎Eko Hot Blog reports that the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this on Saturday while briefing journalists in Enugu after inspecting ongoing federal projects in the Southeast. He said the directive, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), is aimed at safeguarding the structural integrity of bridges nationwide.

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‎Umahi warned that the government would strictly enforce the ban, announcing that patrol boats would be deployed around bridge corridors, while 2 vehicles would be provided to the police to strengthen highway monitoring and enforcement.

‎According to the minister, indiscriminate mining activities around bridges pose serious risks to public safety and national assets, stressing that the Tinubu administration would no longer tolerate practices capable of weakening critical infrastructure.

‎During the briefing, Umahi praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as decisive leadership in addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges in the Southeast, particularly the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway. He revealed that April 28 has been fixed for the completion of the project.

‎Tinubu Govt Moves to Protect Bridges, Bans Mining Activities - Umahi

‎Umahi stated that the Enugu–Onitsha road, which spans 107 kilometres by 2 carriageways, had suffered years of neglect despite massive investments by previous administrations. He noted that under the MTN tax credit scheme, the project was initially valued at ₦202 billion, with about ₦50 billion already utilised before the current administration took over.

‎He explained that rising construction costs triggered by naira floating and fuel subsidy removal necessitated a de-scoping of the project to align with available funds, adding that MTN’s subcontractors, Nigercat and RCC, are handling sections of the work.

‎“We are satisfied with what they have done so far. Where we have concerns, we have communicated them, and they are being addressed. We have set April 28 for completion,” Umahi said.

‎The minister disclosed that the remaining 72 kilometres, spread across 4 sections, had been awarded in phases, with the first 15 kilometres and 18 kilometres prioritised for rigid concrete pavement. He assured that within the next 2 weeks, the first 15 kilometres of the carriageway would be completed, with only the shoulders left.

‎Umahi also announced plans to install solar-powered streetlights along the corridor, beginning with the first 5 kilometres within the next 2 weeks, while arrangements are underway to extend lighting across the entire 107 kilometres, excluding areas already covered by the Anambra State Government.

‎In a politically charged remark, Umahi described President Tinubu as “the Biafra the people of the Southeast are agitating for,” citing what he called unprecedented federal presence and infrastructure investment in the region.

‎According to him, Tinubu’s “audacity, determination, and love for the Southeast” have brought an end to years of infrastructure decay and insecurity on major routes.

‎“All the nightmares on that road will come to an end. Southeast people should be grateful because what was expected has now come to pass,” Umahi said, insisting that the scale of ongoing projects in the zone speaks louder than political rhetoric.