From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Government has ordered the removal of speed bumps on highways in the country.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the order was necessary to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on major roads.
Speaking on Friday, at a two-day retreat for the Federal Ministry of Works Highway Engineers and Managerial Staff in Abuja, Umahi said some of the speed bumps were haphazardly done, causing accidents and elongating travel time.
He said for any speed bump to be constructed, applications would now be made to controllers for the locations through the Permanent Secretary and to the minister for approval after meeting technical compliance.
“I came through one of the federal routes and for a journey that is supposed to last like one hour within that stretch, it lasted like three hours because every 20 metres you will see a bump. Although there is nothing wrong with speed bumps in certain designated locations. But there is an approved technical design for bumps. There are also allowable locations for bumps and that is what we want to do. So the National Assembly has directed that these speed bumps should be dismantled.
“Some speed bumps are high, touching the bottom plates of vehicles; that is not desirable. It defeats the aim. So, this is what we are saying; and that is what the national assembly is saying, the ministry as well as motorists want them to dismantle it”, he said.
