• Advocates National Policy on Weighbridge
From John Adams Minna
Niger State Governor, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago has called for the re-introduction of toll gates on Nigeria Roads to generate revenue for regular maintenance of these.
The governor equally advocated the enforcement of weight limits to avoid overloading and damaging of highways in Nigeria.
Governor Umaru Bago made the call when he visited the Director General of the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), Mamman Ahmadu in his office in Abuja in Thursday.
A statement by the Chief Press secretary to the governor Bologi Ibrahim quoted the governor as expressing dismay over the continuous damage of roads by those involved in overloading trucks and articulated vehicles despite the huge resources spent by governments in fixing this all important infrastructure.
According to the governor fees should be paid by road users for yearly maintenance of the roads pointing out that he will personally present the issue to the leadership of the National Economic Council (NEC) for consideration.
The statement also quoted the Governor saying that he will personally inform NEC to consider having a National Policy on Weighbridge considering the unregulated volume of content plying the roads in the country.
“Nigerian must resume the regime of toll gating, we cannot continue as a country to fix roads and the people who are into overloading will continue to damage our roads. So people should pay monies for using road infrastructures so that the proceeds can be used to maintain the roads year in and year out again we will take it, up with the National Executive Council leadership.
“I will also personally inform NEC on the need to have a national policy on weighbridge”, he added
Governor Bago however assured that his administration is poised to change the narrative as it affects infrastructural development in Niger state.
He disclosed that the state government will partner with the BPP in terms of providing a road map and training of procurement officers in the state to understand that transparent and efficient procurement practices are crucial for the growth and development of the state.
This, the Governor explained will ensure that the citizens of the state receive the best value for their money and that public funds are spent prudently.
Speaking, the Director General of the Bureau for Public Procurement, Mamman Ahmadu decried the poor state of road infrastructures in the state especially the Federal roads despite the state having the largest landmass in the country and more spread of Federal roads.
He said a lot needs to be done by both the Federal and state governments in terms of road development.
While assuring the Governor of his continued support to bring about the needed infrastructural development in the state, he called on the Governor to introduce a weighbridge in the state to ensure proper regulation of the weight of goods carried by heavy-duty vehicles and ensure good road maintenance in the state.
The Governor was accompanied by some key government officials.