VANDALISM, ILLEGAL MINING THREATEN NATION’S ROADS, BRIDGES – UMAHI RAISES ALARM, DEFENDS CONTRACT DECISIONS

…Says Coastal Highway Flooding Caused by Blocked Drains, Not Construction Faults

By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has raised serious concerns over what he described as “massive vandalisation” of critical road and bridge infrastructure across the country, warning that illegal activities and public negligence are undermining the Federal Government’s huge investments in the sector.

Addressing journalists during a press briefing, Umahi said the ministry deemed it necessary to clarify widespread reports and public commentary, particularly regarding alleged flooding on sections of the Lagos Coastal Highway.

According to him, the flooding was not due to structural defects but the blocking of underground drainage channels with refuse.

“The flooding of the coastal highway was because our underground channels were blocked with refuse. This is the basic reason why we have flooding in most cases in Lagos,” he said. “When people dump waste into the drains, what do we expect?”

The Minister disclosed that he was in Lagos two weeks ago to personally assess the situation, commending Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Government and the Commissioner of Police for deploying security personnel to protect federal road infrastructure.

“As we speak, the protective works we have put in place along the coastal road are being destroyed by people. In some sections, they cut and remove parts of the infrastructure. We have shown these to the media,” Umahi stated.

He revealed that vandals have been removing road components including “cat eyes,” expansion joints, reinforcement materials and other fittings, adding that CCTV cameras recently installed on key bridges have helped security agencies apprehend some suspects.

“Just two weeks ago, we caught people removing electrical road devices for the second time. On some bridges, illegal miners even hit pile caps and removed structural elements. We have directed prosecution of those involved,” he said.

Illegal Sand Mining Endangering Bridges

Umahi particularly decried illegal sand mining activities beneath major bridges, describing them as a direct threat to structural stability.

He cited serious structural challenges on the 10/11 Bridge and Carter Bridge, explaining that the piling system used depends on sand for skin friction support.

“What is holding those bridges is the sand around the piles. When people harvest sand illegally beneath them, they are weakening the foundation,” he explained. “Carter Bridge may have to be demolished. We are doing everything possible to extend its lifespan for about three years pending reconstruction.”

The Minister urged Nigerians to take collective responsibility in protecting public assets.

“If we do not safeguard this infrastructure, execution will be repeated and that is not good for our society,” he warned.

Concrete Roads to Last 50–100 Years

Umahi commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing reforms in road construction, particularly the adoption of reinforced concrete pavement technology.

“The President inherited very terrible roads and bridges,” he said. “The roads we are building now with concrete technology will last between 50 and 100 years.”

He added that roads and bridges are not designed for static loads, cautioning against parking heavy trucks on them.

“Roads and bridges are never designed for static loads. Allowing trucks to park on them is inviting trouble,” he stressed.

NNPCL-Funded Projects Now Under Ministry Control

On the transition of NNPCL-funded road projects initiated under Executive Order 007, Umahi disclosed that President Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Works to take over, prioritise, rescope and phase the projects following the discontinuation of direct payments by the NNPCL.

He explained that most of the projects were awarded between April and May 2023 before fuel subsidy removal and naira flotation, with initial funding estimates of about ₦4 trillion.

“Today, it will take about ₦7 trillion to fully complete all the NNPCL projects,” Umahi revealed.

He said contractors are owed about ₦263 billion in certified payments, out of which ₦127 billion has been approved for release on presidential directive.

“The President directed continuation of all inherited projects. What we are doing now is rescoping and phasing them for effective completion,” he said.

Umahi further noted that when the present administration assumed office, it inherited 2,064 active road projects valued at about ₦13 trillion, a figure that has now risen to ₦16.98 trillion despite prioritisation efforts.

Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Contract Dispute

The Minister also addressed the controversial termination of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road contract previously handled by Julius Berger.

According to him, the project had lingered for nine years and was initially valued at ₦150 billion for rehabilitation before being reviewed to ₦650 billion. By the time the current administration assumed office, he said the contractor had collected ₦730.9 billion and completed about 240km—roughly 65 percent of the 350km stretch.

He explained that after subsidy removal and naira flotation, the contractor proposed ₦1.5 trillion to complete the remaining 210km.

“We offered ₦1.1 trillion but they did not agree. We did not know where to get ₦1.5 trillion. So we followed due process and terminated the contract,” Umahi said.

He further disclosed that after termination, the contractor claimed the Federal Government owed it over ₦200 billion in additional costs, but the ministry’s internal verification approved only ₦27 billion.

“At the end of our review, we discovered that the contractor was instead owing the government ₦73 billion. Only the President can write off that amount,” he said.

Umahi insisted that the re-awarded contract now stands at ₦754 billion with an expanded scope and reinforced concrete pavement.

“Should I have given the job at ₦1.5 trillion when I awarded it at ₦754 billion and increased the scope by 28 kilometres? The work we are doing will last between 50 and 100 years,” he declared.

Media Responsibility and Integrity

The Minister expressed displeasure over what he described as misrepresentation of his comments in some media appearances, urging journalists to verify facts before drawing conclusions.

“No human being on earth does anything perfectly. But in this ministry, we are doing everything possible within our conscience to ensure value for money,” he said. “If anyone damages my reputation unfairly, I will speak out.”

He emphasised that government officials deserve mutual respect in public discourse.

“We all have integrity. If you ask me a question, I must answer you because you are performing oversight. But it must be done with mutual respect,” Umahi stated.

Call for National Support

In conclusion, the Minister called on Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government in protecting critical infrastructure.

“This infrastructure belongs to all of us. Mr. President is toiling day and night to fund these projects. If we destroy them, we are destroying our future,” he said.

The Ministry, he assured, remains committed to transparency, accountability and delivering durable road infrastructure nationwide.