FG to demolish illegal structures on federal highways

[MrVan]

By EMEKA MAMAH

The Federal Government is to demolish illegal structures along all the federal highways, including the Oshodi- Apapa Expressway in a bid to ease traffic congestion on such roads.

A source at the Federal Ministry of Works told Saturday Vanguard yesterday that some state governments illegally approved building plans for their residents along federal roads for purposes of generating revenue in disregard to laws guarding building along such routes, saying that any structure which was within 75 metres on each side of any federal road would be demolished.

The government's proposed action was in reaction to the consistent blockade of the Apapa- Oshodi Expressway, which is the country's ''economic artery,'' by both tanker and trailer drivers, causing untold hardship to commuters.

''A new template has been designed to make Nigerian roads more user friendly in line with international standards.

''We are just coming out of a meeting where it was agreed that we will demolish all structures within 75 metres on each side of federal highways nation-wide.Some state governments, including Lagos, allocated lands to people for commercial purposes to traders, who in turn developed such places, without thinking of the right of way."

''The issue of Apapa- Oshodi Expressway is very important because the way people suffer there.

''Things must be done properly and the Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen is passionate about this,'' the sources added.

However, in a statement entitled, ''Federal Government will no longer tolerate abuse of Right of its Ways nationwide,'' and signed by the Media Assistant to the Minister of Works, Mr Tony Ikpasaja the government simply stated, ''The Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen has called on contractors handling priority road projects under the SURE programme in parts of the country to improve their level of mobilization of plant and workforce on the projects.

''The Minister stated this in a meeting with managing directors of construction companies where he informed them on the objectives of the SURE programmes of the President Goodluck Jonathan's administration, as it relates to the road sector and the need for accelerated completion of the listed projects.

''The Minister who was in the meeting with the Management Team of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja today said the Ministry will no longer condone request for review of rates on on-going contracts by contractors at any slightest opportunity.

''On the issue of road signs, he stated that a new template has been designed to make Nigerian roads more user friendly in line with international standards.

''He added that Federal Government would no longer tolerate the abuse of its Right of Ways nationwide.''

 

Vanguard Nigeria