Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, has condemned acts of vandalism on the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano highway.
He urged communities to protect the project and warned that such damage shortens road lifespan.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, has expressed deep concern over acts of vandalism and sabotage affecting the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano highway project. He made the remarks on Saturday during an inspection tour of the ongoing construction work, where he appealed to community leaders along the route to caution residents against such destructive behavior.
Goronyo described the situation as worrisome, noting that individuals were damaging public infrastructure that the federal government had invested heavily in. According to him, some people had been breaking road structures, removing iron rods, and dumping refuse along the newly constructed sections. He also pointed out that certain individuals were drying grains and laying cables across parts of the road, actions that could shorten the lifespan of the project.
“Maintenance means a lot. Prevention of road abuse is part of road maintenance. We have noticed that people go overnight and begin to break some of the road infrastructure and remove iron rods. Even on completed projects like the Jaji Bridge in Kaduna, some hoodlums have gone there to remove iron rods,” the minister lamented.
He emphasized the need for local cooperation, stressing that proper community involvement was vital to preserving the quality and durability of the road. Goronyo reminded residents that the government had made huge financial commitments to ensure the project’s completion, urging them to take ownership of the infrastructure.
The minister, however, expressed satisfaction with the overall progress of the project, commending the contractor and engineers for their dedication.
Speaking during the visit, the Director of Federal Highways at the Ministry of Works, Clement Ogbuagu, said the project was moving at an impressive pace. He noted that the inspection team had assessed different stages of the work and found the quality satisfactory.
Ogbuagu assured Nigerians that the ministry remained fully committed to delivering the project on time, describing it as one of the fastest-progressing highway constructions in the country and a top priority for the federal government.
