Buhari: Under Me, Funding for Capital Projects Increased to 30%

FG approves new fines for overloaded trucks, abuse of federal highways

Chineme Okafor from the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, at the meeting that a new regulation to guide the use of federal highways and prevent its abuse by heavy-duty vehicles has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and would now apply on maximum allowable weights and axle load on the roads.

“It is on record that this administration has raised our annual budgetary commitments for capital projects from 15 per cent to a minimum of 30 per cent, and committed to a fiscal stimulus targeted at infrastructure,” Buhari said in his remarks.

He added: “The result is a revival of construction activities on highway nationwide. From 2015 to date, my administration has constructed and rehabilitated several hundred kilometres of inter-state, federal roads and bridges to ease the movement of persons and goods.”

The president however called on road users in the country to embrace a new attitude to road use, adding that overload of vehicles contribute to fast wear and tear of the road networks.

“However, in order to take the full benefits of these projects when finally completed and get value for our investments, we must change our ways. As the head of this government, I have signed up to that change,” he stated.

According to him, tanker drivers and owners must commit to stop packing their trucks on highways. He said the highways are thoroughfare and should remain that way.

Buhari also noted that he has approved the commencement of the weights and axle load regulation to ensure that maximum axel loads allowed on the roads are adhered to.

In his remarks as well. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, explained that the new regulation on weights and axle loads was in sync with a recent treaty on same which member countries of the Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS) signed and which Nigeria ratified.

A copy of an official gazette of the regulation which the ministry provided indicated that a minimum of N1 million and maximum of N10 million have been provided as fines for breach of the standards, in addition to other fines.