Niger Closes Minna-Bida road, Lapai-Paiko road to heavy-duty vehicles

The Niger State Infrastructure Committee has announce the closure of Minna-Bida road, Lapai-Paiko road and Zungeru entrance from Bida to heavy-duty vehicles from the 15th of September, 2020 until further notice.

In a statement signed by Alh Ibrahim Balarabe Kagara, Chief of Staff and Chairman of Infrastructure Committee, according to the contractors, the high volume of traffic caused by the number of heavy duty vehicles constantly on the road is a hinderance to the completion of the reconstruction of the road.

The statement reads in part; “As you may be aware, the reconstruction of the Minna-Bida road has since commenced but the pace of the work has been at a pace the state government considers unacceptable. And, according to the contractors, the major hinderance is the high volume of traffic caused by the number of heavy duty vehicles constantly on the road.

“Over the years Niger State Government has been committing her limited resources to keep roads that pass through the state motor-able. But because the state links the South West to the North, and because most of the roads are federal roads connected to state roads, the repairs are reversed and the state of the roads are worsened. Many a times the traffic do not even allow contractors the space to work.

“Thus, the decision to close the Minna-Bida road, Lapai-Paiko road and Zungeru entrance from Bida is informed by the recommendations of the contractors and experts. The state government is frustrated by the state of the roads and shall no longer continue to make repairs only for heavy duty vehicles to reverse these repairs.

“The State Government will meet with all stakeholders on this new development.

“Please understand that the state’s Ministry of Justice is prepared to unleash the full wrath of the law on any person who disregards this directive.”