Nigerian Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi has directed the contractors working on Federal roads in the South East Region to concentrate on the completion of carriageways first before working on the spurs to ensure the speedy completion of the project for use.
He made the declaration at the inspection of the construction of the Enugu – Onitsha Expressway in Enugu and Anambra States by MTN Nigeria Communication Plc.
The Rehabilitation of Old Enugu – Onitsha Road (Opi Junction – Ukehe – Okpatu – Awhum, Abor –Udi – Oji to Anambra border and many other road construction projects at the ongoing inspection tours of all the federal roads project going on in the region.
The Minister ordered that the remaining portion of the roads still under construction be done using concrete pavement as he noticed that some of the road shoulders are already cracking because the quality of bitumen in use is of low quality and adulterated.
“I will allow the portions already laid with asphalt but the failing road shoulder should be replaced with concrete carriage, I know what I am saying, the quality of bitumen in this country is low and adulterated. We will not give up the fight till we get to the level where after construction, the road stays for 30 – 50 years before we talk of maintenance”, he said.
Umahi maintained that the use of concrete technology in road construction is cheaper, safer and reduces the longer time contractors have to stay on site trying to patch failed portions after the project completion, and that with the use of concrete pavement, no one goes back to check if the road is failing or not because road failure when concrete is in use is laughable.
“It is safer doing it on concrete and cheaper, I believe strongly that when a project is so expensive it keeps the contractor a longer time on site because he will keep delaying to get all his payment meanwhile there is no money to pay him so he keeps staying on site doing nothing”.
The Minister directed all contractors that have left their site because of payment to quickly and immediately move back to site or he will terminate the contract noting that the monies released already to them from what he was told is suppose `to complete the carriageways before requesting for additional money.
“I am optimistic that the money available will complete the work, come with your bill of quantity so we review it and give you proper directive, move back to site immediately to continue your work within 7 days or I terminate the contractor, you cannot say we are owing you and because of that you stop work”, he said.
Umahi promised the contractors that availability of fund is not going to be a challenge when they do their own part. He added that he will be meeting with the funding partners and the one being financed through appropriation, all will be given attention.
“You said there is no money to complete the project, it is my duty to chase the debt, it is yours to go back to site. I guarantee that the money will be paid, I will meet with the financers and we will do what we are suppose to do”.
The Minister demanded that the Director Highways South East, Engr. Bede Obioha brings up the entire project for review to see how they will put ideas together to ensure that all the outstanding projects be completed and be open for usage.
During his briefing, the Operations Manager, Niger Cat Construction Company Ltd. Engr. Fadi Mosaad who welcomed the Minister hailed the Minister’s directives on the use of concrete pavement saying it’s going to help considering the soil texture and the terrain of the zone.
Earlier, in an interview with Journalists, the Minister gave reasons for using this concrete technology to be loaded with a whole lot of benefits, as being durable with a life span of over fifty years (50).
He added that these concrete roads can stand for these number of years before it will require maintenance more than bitumen imported into the Country that are more of sub- standard which cannot stand the number of expected years.
Also it’s cheaper to build with much local content sourced materials. In his words “I have looked at the cost of bindal cause, the wearing costs on our roads, it is safer doing it on concrete, it’s going to be cheaper, Niger Cat are doing it that’s why I directed that the right hand side of the Enugu – Onitsha Expressway be done on concrete”.
Umahi directed that Enugu Section lll – Port-harcout expressway by Messrs CGC Nig Ltd that the second carriage way be totally done on concrete, “we are safer on concrete in the South East and that’s what we are going to be doing” he added.
The projects visited are : Rehabilitation of old Enugu – Port Harcourt Road (Agbogugu – Abia Border spur to Mmaku, Rehabilitation of Oji – Achi – mmaku – Awgu – Ndeabgor Road section 1 in Enugu State.
Construction of Ugwueme – Nenwenta – Mkwe – Ezere – Awunta – Obeagu – Mgbidi Nmaku Road in Enugu State, construction of Enugu – Onitsha Expressway in Enugu and Anambra States, the Rehabilitation of Old Enugu – Onitsha Road (Opi Junction – Ukehe – Okpatu – Awhum, Abor –Udi – Oji to Anambra.