In an effort to safeguard vital infrastructure and improve public safety, the Federal Government has declared that all mining operations within a 10-kilometer radius of bridges nationwide are prohibited.

After inspecting ongoing federal road and bridge construction in the South-East zone, Senator David Umahi, the Minister of Works, revealed this during a press conference over the weekend in Enugu. According to him, the directive's goal was to stop the nation's roads and bridges from being destroyed.

According to Umahi, the prohibition is in line with Federal Executive Council policies and aims to improve the structural integrity of bridges nationwide. He further stated that improved security and surveillance systems would be used to step up enforcement.

According to the minister, the Federal Government will deploy monitoring boats around bridge corridors and provide two patrol vehicles to the police for highway surveillance, with a monthly maintenance support of N3 million to be provided by the Ministry of Works.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to highway safety, Umahi stated that the installation of CCTV cameras and solar-powered lighting would not be limited to bridges but would be extended to federal highways nationwide.

“We have already commissioned CCTV installations at the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos and the Second Niger Bridge in Onitsha. Our commitment to deploying solar lights and CCTV to monitor bridges and their surroundings will also apply to all federal highways,” he said.

The minister revealed that the CCTV project at the Third Mainland Bridge cost N480 million, describing it as part of broader efforts to enhance surveillance and road security across the country.

Umahi also gave updates on major road construction and rehabilitation projects in the South-East, noting significant progress on several critical routes. He said the 48-kilometre Asaba Heartland Road rehabilitation project, valued at N48 billion, has recorded substantial advancement, featuring reinforced concrete pavement and extensive drainage infrastructure.

We paid the contractor the approximately N50 billion intervention fund that Mr. President offered us. He instructed the contractor to operate night shifts in order to speed up the construction, saying, "We are satisfied with the quality, even though we raised concerns about the slow pace of work."

The minister affirmed that China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation is in charge of the N179 billion, 17.5-kilometer bypass project, of which 30% has already been paid. He continued by saying that the government hopes President Bola Tinubu will commission 50% of the project on April 20.

Describing the Enugu–Onitsha route as “very troubling,” Umahi commended President Tinubu for reviving the long-neglected road corridor. He explained that the 107-kilometre dual carriageway project was initially awarded to MTM under a tax credit arrangement valued at N202 billion but was later de-scoped to reflect prevailing economic conditions. MTM has so far executed works worth N50 billion.

He said the project is currently being handled by MTM, Nigercat and RCC, with the first phase expected to be completed by April 28. According to him, solar lighting installation is ongoing, with the first five kilometres scheduled for completion within two weeks.

Umahi voiced his displeasure with the Second Niger Bridge Bypass section's delays and what he called inadequate CCCC monitoring. He stated that in order to avoid contractual penalties, the ministry would send a formal notice to the contractor, copying the funding bank, requesting expedited development within 60 days.

He continued by saying that CCCC has finished 61 km of the Enugu–Port Harcourt roadway and is presently completing the remaining portions of the project.

"No place in the country should asphalt be removed from our roads again," the minister declared, issuing a strong warning against recurring road renovation.

In order to avoid early road collapses, he mandated that future road designs use concrete shoulders and a stone base with cement stabilisation.