Vandalism: Federal Govt To Engage Guards To Protect Abuja-Kaduna Highway Infrastructure – Umahi

The Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi has said the Federal Government will deploy security guards to protect infrastructure along the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Superhighway from vandalism.

Umahi disclosed this on Monday when he received the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on a courtesy visit to the ministry.

He said the measure became necessary after vandals attempted to damage newly constructed sections of major federal highways.

“I just came back from Lagos when we inaugurated the coastal highway guard. We are going to inaugurate the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Superhighway.

“I saw people digging the concrete to remove rods. But I’ve said that if they can commit to that level, just out of it, a meaningful job,” Umahi said.

The minister said the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor, covering about 750 kilometres of carriageway, had received more than N200 billion in government funding. In contrast, the current projects on the corridor were valued at N752 billion, with over 80 per cent of the funds paid.

“We believe that by November, the entire stretch will have been completed,” he said, adding that solar lights would also be installed along the highway.

Umahi said the government’s road projects had created employment opportunities across the country, noting that “there is no site in all these projects here that has less than 1,000 normal people.”

He also highlighted other ongoing projects, including the Sokoto-Zamfara-Zaria corridor, the Benue-9th Mile road and the Port Harcourt-Bonny road, which he said had been completed.

On the Port Harcourt-Bonny project, he said: “That project is completed. 39.7 kilometres. Fully done.”

“The people of Bonny are very happy. They are no longer dying in the sea. They are now driving through the land,” he added.

The minister also defended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway against criticism, insisting that the project would be completed.

“And I don’t know why people are attacking the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. After all, this is coming from the Niger Delta, where the oil comes from.

“That is being unfair. That is being unrealistic. That project will be done,” he said. He commended former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, for his comments on the project and cautioned against media attacks on his personality.

“When we are faced with national discourse about the state of our nation, I wish to say that some leaders, instead of chasing issues, are chasing shadows.

Even though people may be insulting Donald Duke, he should not be insulted. Because, out of all the leaders, he’s the only one who’s been able to speak on national issues. He may not be right in some of his positions, but at least he was not attacking personalities,” he added.

Umahi urged NANS to actively participate in monitoring federal projects and approved support for the association to undertake nationwide project monitoring.

“If you help us to monitor these projects, please no blackmail, no intimidation, no altercation with contractors. For every responsibility, I take responsibility. And if you do this intelligently and honestly, we are partners,” he said.

He also urged young Nigerians to focus on productivity and skills acquisition, saying, “We need to do things with our hands.”

The minister further urged students to engage the government on national issues based on evidence rather than social media narratives.