The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed the removal of speed bumps on highways across Nigeria to improve traffic flow and reduce road congestion.
Speaking at a two-day retreat in Abuja for the Federal Ministry of Works Highway Engineers and Managerial Staff, Umahi said many speed bumps were poorly constructed, causing accidents and delays.
“I traveled on a federal route where a one-hour journey took three hours because every 20 metres, there was a bump,” he said. “While speed bumps are necessary in some locations, they must follow approved technical designs. Many of these bumps are a hazard, causing accidents and damaging vehicles.”
He explained that the National Assembly had instructed the ministry to dismantle these problematic speed bumps. Umahi added that going forward, applications for constructing speed bumps must be submitted to controllers through the Permanent Secretary and approved by the minister after meeting technical standards.
“There must be a safe distance of at least 100 metres and warning signs for motorists before any speed bump,” he emphasized.
Umahi also highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development, describing it as crucial for stimulating the economy and improving citizens’ lives.
“This retreat is to ensure participants understand the president’s renewed hope agenda, particularly in road infrastructure,” Umahi noted.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, praised the president’s infrastructure agenda, saying it has brought hope to Nigerians. “Road infrastructure is key to economic growth and prosperity,” he stated.
Permanent Secretary Olufunso Adebiyi shared statistics from the Federal Road Safety Corps, revealing that reckless driving, drunk driving, and disregard for road signs were the leading causes of accidents, not bad roads.
“Accidents caused by bad roads are less than 10 percent. The inefficiency of engineers and poor supervision of road works also contribute,” Adebiyi said, urging engineers to improve their performance.
Lawmakers at the event pledged their support to help the ministry achieve its goals for road development.
The retreat, themed *“Ensuring Delivery of Mr. President’s Agenda on Road Infrastructural Development,”* aimed to educate participants on modern technologies and innovations for better road construction and maintenance.
