Nigerian Minister of Works, Senator (Engr) David Umahi has insisted that concrete remain solution to flood-density roads, adding that roads built with concrete will last between fifty to hundred years.
Umahi disclosed this while fielding questions from the media during an inspection of the ongoing reconstruction of a 2.46-kilometre Special Intervention Project on the East-West Road in Delta State being handled by M/S Truetech Global Investment Services Limited on Tuesday.
He reiterated that the adoption of continuous reinforcement concrete pavement (CRCP) technology on some roads in the country is the best thing that can happen to Nigeria, particularly in flood-prone areas and those with high water table levels that take high volumes of traffic.
“Concrete is good for areas that experience double rainfall maxima. Roads built with concrete will last between fifty (50) to hundred (100) years, while asphaltic ones will fall within ten (10) years. Concrete is the solution to flood-density roads,” Umahi insisted.
Revealing Mr President’s determination to ensure that the roads along economic corridors of the nation get the adequate priority they deserve, the Minister also took time to interact with the youth and community leaders of the areas, where work is ongoing.
These youths and Community leaders unanimously attested to the quality of work the Federal Government is doing. They, however, as Oliver Twist, requested for more work to be extended to their various communities.
Motorists and commuters were not left behind, as they poured encomiums on the Minister and the President for alleviating their sufferings on the hitherto failed alignment, which is giving taxpayers value for their money.
Other ongoing road projects inspected on the same day with similar satisfactory remarks were the 110.63-kilometre Dualisation of Sapele – Agbor – Ewu Road, Section I (Sapele – Agbor) C/No.6249 in Delta State by Messrs CGC (Nig) Ltd.
Also, 83.3-kilimetre Rehabilitation of Asaba-Agbor Dual Carriageway, Edo State Border in Delta State C/NO.7646 by Messrs Hartland (Nig). Ltd and 23.2 -kilometre Reconstruction of Benin- Sapele-Warri Dual Carriageway.
Section III (Ibada Elume – Warri) Km.66+800 – Km.90+000 (23.2km) under the Road Infrastructure Development And Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, Contract No.8022 being handled by the M/S. Skecc (Nig.) Ltd.
Umahi who urged the contractors on the projects visited to expedite action, said the President hate to see Nigerians going through hardship of any form, solicited understanding, as well as cooperation, while the task of making Nigeria’s roads user-friendly, lasts.
