FG plans penalties for vehicle owners causing road damages

Mr Bello Goronyo, Minister of State for Works, says the Federal Government will roll out measures to penalise vehicle owners damaging the roads across Nigeria.

Goronyo gave the warning on Tuesday when he inspected 58 kilometre road repairs being conducted by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) along Sokoto-Illela road in Sokoto State.

He explained that government spent huge amount of money on road rehabilitation and maintenance every year, adding that it would not allow some unscrupulous vehicle owners to deliberately destroy the roads.

He warned vehicle owners and any other individuals causing road obstructions to desist or face wrath of the law.

“We are launching operation safeguard our roads initiative, we are soliciting for stakeholders support in order to achieve the desired objectives,” he said.

Goronyo added that roads were government’s assets meant for smooth and quality transportation system towards enhancing socioeconomic wellbeing of the citizens.

The minister called on state and local governments as well as the entire citizens to support the federal government’s efforts in road maintenance, while advising all to reports any unscrupulous actions to the nearest authorities.

Earlier, Goronyo launched solar-powered street light projects executed by FERMA at Sultan Abubakar International Airport and nearby roads.

He described the projects as life-saving aimed at enhancing security surveillance for public safety, stressing that prior to the installation of the lights, the places were regarded as danger zones especially in the night.

In his speech, the Managing Director of FERMA, Dr Emeka Agbasi, said the projects were awarded to enhance the condition of the roads for public use as part of FERMA’s mandates.

Agbasi commended the minister for his determination to actualise President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda of transformation in the country.