Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has warned against parking fuel tankers and other heavy-duty vehicles on newly constructed roads, describing the practice as a serious threat to infrastructure.
Umahi gave the warning during an inspection of the Aleto Bridge project in Rivers State over the weekend. He expressed concern over the damage such actions could cause to road networks.
He explained that engineers design roads with specific load limits. According to him, parking heavy trucks for long periods—especially fuel tankers—weakens the pavement and speeds up deterioration.
“These roads are not meant to serve as parking lots for heavy-duty vehicles. This misuse will reduce their lifespan and increase maintenance costs,” he said.
Umahi stressed that the Federal Government is investing heavily in road construction and rehabilitation. He said protecting these roads is a shared responsibility.
He called on transport operators, tanker drivers, and relevant authorities to enforce rules against indiscriminate parking on highways and bridges.
He also urged security agencies to step in and ensure compliance to protect national infrastructure.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building durable, high-quality roads. He added that public cooperation remains key to sustaining these investments.
