Umahi partners police on road security 

…says FG’s borrowing for road projects 

Federal Government has defended its aggressive borrowing strategy, linking the country’s rising public debt profile to critical capital investments required to unlock economic growth, enhance commerce, and fix Nigeria’s fractured security architecture.

Speaking in Abuja during a working visit by the Olatunji Disu, Inspector-General of Police, to the Ministry of Works, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, stated that infrastructure remains the foundational catalyst for the country’s economic revolution.

“When people ask, ‘Why is he borrowing?’ The president is borrowing so that our roads can be good,” Umahi said. “Without roads, it’s difficult for security agencies to operate, difficult for commerce to thrive, and access to education will be hindered.”

Addressing the legacy liabilities, Umahi disclosed that over 80 percent of ongoing road contracts, valued at approximately N34 trillion, were inherited from previous administrations, some dating back to 2000, 2015, and 2017. He noted that the presidency chose to sustain these projects due to their strategic economic importance.

To ensure value for money and long-term asset durability, the ministry has mandated the adoption of reinforced concrete pavement. According to the minister, this engineering shift will extend the lifespan of completed roads to between 50 and 100 years, reducing recurrent maintenance costs.

Umahi revealed that the 47.47-kilometre Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is complete and already attracting private capital investors interested in tolling concessions to recoup government funding.

On the 375-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, the federal government has approved complete solar lighting installation. The first 118-kilometre stretch has been delivered at a cost of N252 billion, while the second section (164 kilometres) is slated for completion by November.

In his remarks, the Inspector-General of Police called for the institutionalization of tech-driven policing framework along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. He urged Ministry of Works to integrate drone surveillance systems, dedicated patrol stations, and mini-control rooms directly into the highway’s design blueprint before completion.

“They can deploy their drones to watch the stretch of the road. It’s a kind of mini-control room for police officers on that road. We have come to remind you to include this in your plans,” the IGP stated.

The police chief emphasized that establishing dedicated checkpoints according to global best practices, where vehicles can pull off the main lanes without disrupting traffic is crucial for logistics and trade facilitation. He added that improved road infrastructure directly correlates with lower crime rates by opening up remote areas to formal economic opportunities.