Delta State Government, Tuesday, said it would prosecute anybody who constructs speed breakers on roads in the state without approval from the state Ministry of Works.
The Commissioner for Works in charge of Rural and Riverine Roads, Charles Aniagwu disclosed this in an interview with journalists after inspecting the 4.04 kilometres Emevor/Ivrogbo/Orogun Road, (phase l) in Isoko North and the 240 meters Palace Road, Evwreni in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
Aniagwu stated that the indiscriminate construction of speed breakers on roads in the state was quite disturbing pointing out that it rubbishes government’s efforts.
He said the state government has made it abundantly clear that nobody, no matter how highly placed, should proceed to construct any speed breaker on any of the roads without permission from the Ministry Works.
The Commissioner also stated that anyone desiring to construct a speed breaker must go to the Ministry of Works for assessment and possible approval before such speed breaker could be constructed.
In his words,“We have made it abundantly clear that nobody, no matter how highly placed, should proceed to construct any speed breaker on any of our roads with permission from the Ministry Works.
“We must make sure that such speed breaker is not the type that will undermine the vehicles or any other mobile facilities that will have to transverse such corridors.
“The reason why that is so, is that we have noticed that some persons will just go and construct speed breakers indiscriminately. For instance, if you go to Umutu/Eku Road, you will see the amount of speed breakers on that particular road.
“Apart from the fact that it is disturbing, it makes nonsense of the efforts of government and we will proceed to prosecute anybody who decides to cut through the government roads without permission.
“Yes, there are some communities where you may need speed breakers for the safety of our people but such will be with discussion with the Ministry.
“We will assess the quality of speed breaker and its necessity so that at the end of the day, while we save the people; people who are also commuting on that road will not have to go through some harrowing experience on such corridors,” he added.
The Commissioner, also, said burning of tyres along tarred roads was strictly prohibited.
According to him, once you do that, either in the name of protest, you would have ended up melting the asphalt in that place which is not acceptable.
While urging residents of the state to desist from such act,Aniagwu charged benefitting communities of government projects to take ownership of such projects, even as he implored them to cooperate with contractors handling projects in their areas.
The Commissioner then applauded the management of the company handling the two projects for the speed that they have brought to bear in the execution of the projects.
He disclosed that the Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration was very interested in patronising indigenous contractors provided that such contractors were ready to do the right job so that at the end of the day, the state government and Deltans would not have any reason to regret.
Not too long ago, Aniagwu said, the governor approved almost N30 billion that was paid to different contractors, adding that, that was why a whole lot of contractors have moved to sites.