Nigerian Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi has disclosed that there will be no contract award under his watch for any road unless it is with concrete layout.
Umahi made this disclosure during an inspection tour of Oshodi Oworoshoki – Ojota road on Tuesday 29th August, 2023 as part of his tour of some roads in Lagos and States within South West Nigeria.
The Minister who expressed satisfaction with the job done noted that it was about ninety nine percent done except for some finishing touches.
He wondered why some contractors were against the more durable and cost reduction use of Concrete Technology that is the use of cement for road construction despite its advantages over bitumen which is more expensive and less durable, a situation he attributed to the fact that the bitumen produced recently are of lesser quality.
The Minister noted that despite the high number of heavy trucks that ply the road it is still without defects adding that if it was an asphalt road it would have started failing and developing faults.
He challenged contractors who are aversed to construction of concrete roads to come to Oworoshoki road to see an example of its advantage over asphalt.
While at the Apongbon bridge, the Minister lamented that some people were trading and selling chemical under it which resulted in the fire outbreak early in the year thereby causing huge damage to the bridge.
He expressed government’s determination to rehabilitate it as soon as possible and instal solar light, asked Lagos State Government to urge the people using premises under it to clean the surrounding and make it beautiful and habitable for their use.
At the Porto-Novo Liverpool round- about bridge, the Minister directed the Director, Design and Bridges, Engineer Adesanya Awosanya to send the report on the structural defects on it and other bridges that have similar problems to his office.
Lagos- Ibadan Expressway to be ready soon, Umahi says
The Minister who also inspected the Lagos-Ibadan Highway excited as the work is at the 98% completion of Section 1 of the crucial highway. “We are excited with the speed of work, the problem of interchange in Ogun State will be resolved so that we can finish with the issue of compensation”
Speaking with the contractor, Umahi said, “In our subsequent work, we shall work on concrete road, and if you have any problem let us know so that we can support you.”
Director South West, Engr. Adedamola Kuti, earlier said, “the main carriage way of section 1 Lagos Ibadan expressway will be completed in September while the Lagos in-bound is completed.
The West Region Manager of Julius Berger Thomas Christol in charge of the contraction of Section 1 , said ” the last kilometre shall be completed next week “
At the construction of Eleko -Dangote Refinery concrete pavement road by Dangote Company under the Tax Credit Scheme, the service lane being proposed would be taken to Federal Executive Council for approval .
Umahi said “Solar Light should be incorporated and has to be tolled”
He said by tolling the road and handing it over to private sector to manage, the lighting and security will be managed from the revenue from tolling along side the maintenance of the road thereby generating revenue.
In his words: “this initiative is good and will add positively to our economy, Mr President is committed to this facility.