By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Federal Government has banned all forms of mining within a 10-kilometre radius of bridges across the country.

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, announced this during a press briefing in Enugu on Saturday.

The minister said the directive which aligned with the decisions of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), is aimed at strengthening the structural integrity of bridges and ensuring road safety nationwide.

He added that enforcement will be intensified through the deployment of monitoring boats and other security measures.

Umahi disclosed that the government will deploy patrol boats to enforce the ban around bridge corridors, and will also provide two vehicles to the police for highway monitoring.

According to him, the ministry will support the vehicles’ maintenance with a monthly allocation of N3 million.

He further reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to safer highways, noting that CCTV cameras and solar lighting installations will extend beyond bridges to cover federal highways nationwide.

“We have already commissioned CCTV installations at Tomei Land Bridge and the Second Niger Bridge.

"Our commitment in deploying solar light and CCTV to monitor the bridges and the surroundings is not limited to bridges. It is what we are going to have in all our federal highways," Umahi said.

The minister disclosed that the CCTV project at Tomei Land Bridge cost N480 million and is part of broader measures to improve surveillance and road security.

Umahi provided updates on major road projects in the Southeast, highlighting significant progress in rehabilitation and construction works.

He reported that the Asaba Heartland Road, a 48-kilometre rehabilitation project valued at $48 billion, has recorded substantial progress.

He said the road features reinforced concrete pavement and extensive drainage infrastructure.

“Mr. President gave us an intervention fund of about N50 billion, which we paid the contractor. We raised concerns about slow pace, but we are satisfied with the quality,” he said.

The minister directed the contractor to accelerate work by implementing night shifts.

Umahi confirmed that China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCCC) is executing the 17.5-kilometre bypass at a cost of N179 billion, and that 30 per cent payment has been made. He stated the ministry aims to have 50 per cent of the project commissioned by President Bola Tinubu by April 20.

Describing the Enugu–Onitsha route as “very troubling,” the minister commended President Tinubu for revitalising the long-neglected corridor.

The project, spanning 107 kilometres (dual carriageway), was originally awarded to MTM under a tax credit arrangement valued at N202 billion.

Due to economic realities affecting costs, the ministry has de-scoped the project to match available funds. MTM has reportedly completed works worth N50 billion.

Umahi said the project is being executed by MTM, Nigercat, and RCC, with completion of the first phase set for April 28.

He also stated that solar lighting installation is underway, with the first five kilometres expected to be completed within two weeks.

The minister raised concerns over CCCC’s performance on the Second Niger Bridge Bypass section, citing delays and inadequate supervision.

He said the ministry will issue a letter to CCCC, copying the bank, demanding accelerated progress within 60 days or risk contractual consequences.

Umahi confirmed that CCCC has completed 61 kilometres of the Enugu–Port Harcourt highway and is finalising additional sections.

He issued a strict directive against road rework, saying: “No place in the country should asphalt be removed from our road again.”

The minister ordered redesigns to include concrete shoulders and stone base with cement stabilization to prevent premature road failures.

Umahi disclosed that the Enugu–Ebonyi road is being reconstructed by the Federal Government, while the Enugu State Government is already dualizing part of the corridor from the airport junction to the state boundary.

The project, valued at N180 billion, will be executed in phases, with the first phase expected to be completed within the year and the second phase extending into 2026.

He also referenced other projects, including the Bini–Asaba corridor, noting that work is still at the conception stage.

He directed that a report and site visit be conducted before the end of the month.

Umahi praised the performance of contractors SKC, NYJCAT, and RCC on various sections, while noting that some areas require corrective actions.

The minister commended President Tinubu’s commitment to the Southeast, describing the administration’s efforts as restoring hope and infrastructure stability in the region.

Umahi said the ministry will continue to ensure timely completion and proper supervision of federal road projects, noting that the briefing covered only a fraction of the ongoing works in the Southeast and South-South.

He spoke alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Works, including the Directors-in-Charge of Heritage and Design, Rehabilitation and Construction of Highways, and Conceptioning.

Responding on behalf of stakeholders, Barrister Chioma Nweze, Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Community Engagement for the South-East, commended the administration’s road projects, noting that the interventions have improved travel and boosted economic activities in the region.

She described the projects as transformative and expressed gratitude for the government’s renewed presence in the Southeast after decades of neglect.

Update news