Borno Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has described as economic sabotage, the attitudes of some traders and owners of heavy-duty vehicles plying the Maiduguri – Gamboru Ngala road with loads exceeding 100 tons which is more than the capacity of the road.
Babagana Zulum stated this on Sunday in Gamboru town, headquarters of Ngala Local Government Council while on a suprise visit to the area.
The Governor highlighted the excessive strain that heavy trucks place on the road leading to accelerated deterioration calling for a change of attitude by the road users.
He expressed concern over the long-term consequences of this practice, emphasizing that it undermines the Federal Government’s efforts to improve and expand the state’s infrastructure, hindering economic progress and development.
According to him, “It is sad to note what has been happening here. You can see trailers loaded with over 2,000 bags of cement or sugar. That entails more than 100 tons of commodities. This trend is only seen on this road and as a result, the road leading to Gamboru Ngala has been destroyed due to overload.”
Furthermore, the Governor emphasized the threat to public safety posed by overloaded trucks, citing the increased risk of accidents, particularly along the Maiduguri-Gamboru road
Babagana Zulum stressed the need for strict enforcement of weight regulations to protect both infrastructure and human lives.
The Governor further lamented that resulting from the impact of overloading, the bridge linking the Nigerian part of the border and other neighbouring countries was affected and nearly collapsed.
To address these concerns, Babagana Zulum announced his administration’s plans to collaborate with relevant agencies of the federal government to address the issue effectively.
The Governor also outlined a multifaceted approach, including increased enforcement of weight restrictions, strict implementation of penalties for violators and the establishment of weigh stations at strategic points along major transportation routes.
However, the Governor noted that despite the government’s commitment to enhancing trans-border trade, appropriate measures will be implemented to maintain road infrastructure.
Babagana Zulum then lauded the efforts of the Federal Government for its commitment to revitalising federal roads in Borno.
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