The Ministry of Works and the Nigerian Police Force have agreed on closer partnership to provide stronger security for Nigerian roads.
The agreement was reached when the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Works, David Umahi at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
To this end, the Minister of Works said a comprehensive security apparatus such as observation decks, cctv surveillance, among others would be installed on the Highways.
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“A comprehensive highway security framework will be developed to include the deployment of CCTV surveillance systems, solar-powered lighting, patrol vehicles, observation posts, drones and rapid response teams along critical transport corridors.
“So we are kicking off with one major route in each of the political, geopolitical zones. So Lagos, and then Abuja-Kano.
“In Southeast, we’re going to have Enugu-Onitsha. And then in North Central, we’re going to take Maraba, you know, to Benue, then the 260 kilometer from Benue to Nine Mile by two. And then in South-South, we take off with Eleme – onne and Bodoboni. And in all these things, there must be provisions where trucks, cars must be packed” he said.
Mr. Umahi stated that they would be adding security arrangements to concessioned highways.
He however proposed to the Police Chief to expand the Federal Highway Patrol by recruiting more people to ensure stronger police presence on the roads.
He appreciated the police for the protection of workers and contractors during projects especially in areas of high security threat.
Continuous Support
The Minister stated that for the legacy projects of the Tinubu administration to be successfully completed, the Ministry would require continuous support of all security agencies.
The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu speaking earlier noted that good roads carry the future of a nation as it is crucial for building the economy.
He commended the Ministry for the transformative infrastructure being done on the roads.
The IGP said that special provisions be made while the roads are being constructed to enable police protection over the long kilometres of roads.
“We need police presence kilometers upon kilometers along the highway. By the time you are done, we should have special checking points on the road. When we say special checking points, we know what we are talking about.
“Areas specially designated for police officers to do proper checking of vehicles and of people plying the road, as it is done everywhere in the world. They are special. We have had samples of it in some states of this nation” he said.
The IGP further requested for more patrol and armoured vehicles to support better security operations on newly constructed roads promising that such vehicles will be used strictly for highway patrol.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Works, Mr. Bello Goronyo congratulated the IGP for his appointment, saying that a review of his CV shows that he is an operational and intelligent officer.
Mr. Goronyo commended the dedication of Mr. Umahi to achieving the President’s plans of changing the roads narratives in Nigeria by building more durable roads.
