The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has reaffirmed his commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and ensuring free vehicular movement of goods and services across Nigeria.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adam Kambari, the Minister disclosed this in Abuja while inaugurating the Committee on the Clearing of Accidental, Burnt, and Abandoned (ABA) Vehicles from highways nationwide.

Lawal described the inauguration as a crucial step toward addressing one of the nation’s lingering environmental, safety, and public health challenges caused by unattended vehicles on highways.

He said the Steering Committee, comprising representatives from security agencies, MDAs, and transport unions, is mandated to provide strategic direction and coordinate efforts to clear abandoned vehicles and promote safer, cleaner, and more resilient transport corridors.

He urged committee members to approach their task with dedication and professionalism, assuring them of the Ministry’s and Federal Government’s full support.

The Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health (PC&EH), Engr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, said successful implementation of the initiative would not only enhance environmental aesthetics and safety but also contribute to climate and disaster risk reduction goals.

She further urged the committee to consider recycling some of the recovered vehicles to promote a circular economy, generate revenue, and create jobs in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

In goodwill messages, committee members pledged to deploy their expertise to ensure the clearance of abandoned vehicles from highways to facilitate smooth transportation and environmental sustainability.