The Nigerian Police and the Ministry of Works have agreed on a partnership to provide stronger security for Nigerian roads.
The agreement was reached when the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
To this end, the Minister of Works said a comprehensive security apparatus, such as observation decks, CCTV surveillance, among others, will be installed on the Highways.
Umahi added that they would be adding security arrangements to concessioned highways.
He, however, proposed to the Police Chief to expand the Federal Highway Patrol by recruiting more people to ensure a stronger police presence on the roads.
He appreciated the police for the protection of workers and contractors during projects, especially in areas of high security threat.
The Minister added that for the legacy projects of the Tinubu administration to be completed, the Ministry would require the continuous support of all security agencies.
“If you did not do what you are doing in helping us over the numerous projects the president is doing, together with other security chiefs and very cooperative national security advisers, it would have been totally impossible.
“For example, President BolaTinubu wanted to finish the 120 km by 2, 240 km of three lanes each in Sokoto this year. But we have encountered a lot of security challenges, and without your assistance and combined teams of security officers, it would have been difficult to forge ahead” Umahi explained.
The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, speaking earlier, noted that good roads carry the future of a nation, as it is crucial for building the economy.
He commended the Ministry for the transformative infrastructure being done on the roads.
The IGP further requested for more patrol and armoured vehicles to support better security operations on newly constructed roads, promising that such vehicles will be used strictly for highway patrol.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, congratulated the IGP for his appointment, adding that a review of his CV shows that he is an operational and intelligent officer.
Goronyo commended the dedication of Umahi to achieving the President’s plans of changing the roads narrative in Nigeria by building more durable roads.
