Nigeria Bans Mining Near Bridges to Protect Roads

Nigeria just took a major step toward protecting the bridges and highways millions of people depend on every day. The federal government has banned all mining activities within 10 kilometers of any bridge across the country, targeting illegal excavation that has been weakening roads and putting lives at risk.

Minister of Works David Umahi announced the decision after inspecting projects in southeastern Nigeria. The directive aims to preserve the structural integrity of bridges while keeping travelers safe from collapses and road damage caused by nearby mining operations.

To make the ban stick, authorities are deploying patrol boats around bridge areas and providing police with two dedicated highway surveillance vehicles. The ministry is committing 3 million naira monthly to maintain these patrols, signaling this isn't just another policy on paper.

The safety upgrades extend beyond mining enforcement. Nigeria is installing CCTV cameras and solar-powered lighting at bridges and along federal highways nationwide, building on successful installations at Lagos's Third Mainland Bridge and Onitsha's Second Niger Bridge.

The Ripple Effect

This infrastructure protection plan comes alongside massive road improvements across southeastern Nigeria. The government is pushing forward on a 48-kilometer highway rehabilitation project worth 48 billion naira, featuring reinforced concrete and advanced drainage systems designed to last.

President Bola Tinubu provided 50 billion naira in intervention funding to accelerate projects that had languished for years. The Enugu to Onitsha corridor, which Umahi described as "very troubling," is finally getting the attention it deserves with multiple construction teams working simultaneously.

The ministry is also banning the removal of asphalt from existing roads, requiring future designs to include concrete shoulders and cement-stabilized stone bases. These specifications should prevent the premature failures that have plagued Nigerian highways and forced costly repairs.

Solar lighting is already going up along major routes, with the first five kilometers scheduled for completion within two weeks. By April, officials expect to commission significant portions of several major projects, including a 17.5-kilometer bypass that will ease congestion for commuters.

Nigeria's infrastructure has long struggled with illegal mining, poor maintenance, and incomplete projects. This comprehensive approach tackles multiple problems at once while creating safer, more reliable transportation networks for millions of people who travel these roads daily.