Umahi orders removal of speed bumps on highways nationwide
By Jeffrey Agbo
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed the removal of speed bumps on highways countrywide to reduce congestion on major roads.
The minister said on Friday that some speed bumps were haphazardly done causing accidents and elongating travel time.
Umahi stated this at a two-day Retreat for Federal Ministry of Works Highway Engineers and Managerial Staff in Abuja.
“I came through one of the federal routes and for a journey that is supposed to last like one hour within that stretch, it lasted like three hours because every 20 metres you will see a bump.
“Although there is nothing wrong with speed bumps in certain designated locations, there is an approved technical design for bumps.
“There are also allowable locations for bumps, and that is what we want to do. So the National Assembly has directed that these speed bumps should be dismantled,” he said.
“Some speed bumps are high, touching the bottom plates of vehicles; that is not desirable. It defeats the aim,” the minister added.
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“So, this is what we are saying, and that is what the National Assembly is saying. The ministry as well as motorists want them to dismantle it.”
Umahi said subsequently, for any speed bump to be constructed, applications would be made to controllers for the locations through the Permanent Secretary and to the minister for approval after meeting technical compliance.
He added that there must also be a safe side distance of not less than 100 metres and warning for motorists to beware.
Umahi said the retreat was aimed at educating participants to properly understand the president’s renewed hope agenda with specific reference to road infrastructure development among others.
Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, commended the president’s infrastructure development agenda.
“Let me urge you to use the knowledge that you will acquire today in ensuring that you come up to speed with the modern technologies and innovation so that our country will be better in terms of road infrastructure.
“Without the road infrastructure, there cannot be economic growth, and there cannot be prosperity,” he said.
The permanent secretary in the ministry, Olufunso Adebiyi, said the Federal Road Safety Corps’ record revealed that accidents were traceable to reckless driving, drunk driving, disregard for road instructions and unauthorised crossing of the road among others.
