The Federal Government has ordered the removal of speed bumps on highways across the country. The directive, issued by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, is aimed at ensuring better traffic flow and reducing the travel time for road users.
Speaking at a two-day retreat for the Federal Ministry of Works Highway Engineers and Managerial Staff in Abuja on Friday, Umahi emphasized the negative impact of poorly constructed speed bumps on major roads. He revealed that many of these bumps were haphazardly erected, causing accidents, damaging vehicles, and unnecessarily elongating travel times.
Recalling a recent experience on a federal highway, Umahi said:
“For a journey that should last one hour, it took me three hours because every 20 metres there was a speed bump. While speed bumps have their place in ensuring safety in specific locations, their indiscriminate construction violates technical standards and creates chaos on the highways.”
Umahi outlined new procedures for constructing speed bumps, stating that applications must now be made to federal controllers through the Permanent Secretary and the Minister for approval. All future bumps must meet specified technical designs and be limited to designated locations.
The Minister also noted concerns raised by the National Assembly and motorists, highlighting that some speed bumps are too high, often scraping the bottom of vehicles and defeating their purpose.
“The National Assembly, the ministry, and motorists have all agreed on the need to dismantle these speed bumps. Many of them are simply not desirable. We must ensure compliance with approved designs that promote safety without obstructing traffic flow,” Umahi added.
The decision has been welcomed by road users, many of whom have long complained about the proliferation of unregulated speed bumps on Nigeria’s highways. Experts believe this initiative will not only enhance traffic efficiency but also reduce wear and tear on vehicles.
As the Federal Government moves to enforce this directive, highway engineers and relevant agencies have been tasked with identifying and dismantling unauthorized speed bumps. This measure is expected to restore order on the nation’s highways, aligning road infrastructure with global safety and design standards.
This directive marks a critical step in the Federal Government’s broader commitment to improving the country’s road network and minimizing avoidable delays caused by poorly executed infrastructure.
