The Federal Government says security guards will be deployed along the Abuja Kaduna Zaria Kano highway to protect newly constructed infrastructure from vandalism.
Minister of Works David Umahi announced the plan during a meeting with leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students.
He said the decision followed incidents in which vandals allegedly attempted to damage concrete structures and remove reinforcing materials from sections of major highways.
Umahi said the Abuja Kaduna Zaria Kano corridor had received more than N200 billion in funding, while ongoing contracts on the route were valued at about N752 billion.
He said more than 80 per cent of the current project value had been paid and expressed hope that work on the entire corridor would be completed by November.
Solar lighting is also planned along parts of the highway.
The minister highlighted other projects including roads in the North West, the Benue Ninth Mile corridor and the Port Harcourt Bonny road.
He said the Port Harcourt Bonny road had been completed.
Umahi also defended the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway and insisted that the project would be delivered despite criticism.
He invited NANS to participate in monitoring federal road projects but warned representatives to avoid intimidation or confrontation with contractors.
NANS President Akinteye Babatunde said good transport infrastructure was important to students because poor roads increased travel costs, caused delays and limited educational access.
