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Niger orders suspension of work on Minna-Suleja road

By Akin Alofetekun, Minna
17 October 2016   |   2:12 am
Bello who gave the order while inspecting the project awarded by the state government, however, called on the Federal Ministry of Works to install weighing bridges in the country, if the life span of roads was to be sustained.
Governor of Niger Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello

Governor of Niger Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello

To prevent overloaded heavy trucks from plying the Minna-Suleja road, which is currently under rehabilitation, the Niger State governor, Sani Bello has directed suspension of work on the project.

According to the governor allowing the trucks to ply the road while been rehabilitated would prevent users from feeling the positive impact of the rehabilitation exercise.

Bello who gave the order while inspecting the project awarded by the state government, however, called on the Federal Ministry of Works to install weighing bridges in the country, if the life span of roads was to be sustained.

He lamented the way and manner at which overloaded trucks weighing between 40,000- 70,000 tones instead of the lawful maximum of between 30,000- 35,000 tones ply the road, which was constructed to carry about 35,000 tones or litres.

The governor said the rehabilitation effort of the state government was aimed at reducing the hardship faced by the motorists and ensure free flow of movement on the road. He added that government was in consultation with the State House of Assembly to introduce a weighing bridge bill to ensure arrest and prosecution of any over loaded vehicle plying through the Niger state.

Bello called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency mobilize the contractor handling the dualisation to continue their work and reduced hardship created by the abandonment.

He expressed regret at the level of damage done to the road on which his administration had spent about N500million, demanding that the contractor should suspend work till further notice.

The governor urged motorists to be patient and obey traffic regulations to ensure accident-free journey.

He also appealed to the Federal government to find alternative means like railway for the purposes of haulage, considering the proximity of Niger state to Abuja, the Federal Capital of Nigeria.

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