Umahi Inspects Ongoing East-west Road, Says Concrete Is The Permanent Solution

 

The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr.) David Nweze Umahi, has emphasized that the adoption of Continuous Reinforcement Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology on roads in flood-prone areas, particularly those with high water tables and heavy traffic, is a significant step forward for Nigeria.

Senator Umahi made this statement while inspecting the ongoing reconstruction of a 2.46-kilometre Special Intervention Project on the East-West Road in Delta State (CH.28+400-CH.50+300) on Tuesday, 18th February 2024. The project is being handled by M/S Truetech Global Investment Services Limited.

The Minister praised the technology’s benefits, noting that

"roads built with concrete will last between 50 to 100 years, while asphalt roads typically last only about 10 years".

He highlighted that concrete is ideal for flood-prone roads, emphasizing its durability and suitability for areas with high rainfall and traffic volumes.

“It’s the best thing for Nigeria, especially in regions with high water tables,” Umahi remarked, reiterating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to prioritizing roads along the nation’s economic corridors.

“The permanent solution for east-west road is to use concrete and raise it above the flood plains,” he stressed.

He explained that his ministry opted for concrete to raise the pavement around the flood plains identified on the road between Delta and Ahoada area of Rivers State.

He assured that when completed, the concrete would last between 50 and 100 years, unlike the asphalted portions of the road with a life span of 10 years or even less.

“Concrete is very friendly with rainfall. The asphalt will always fail when the underground water touches the bottom of the asphalt.

This concrete will last fifty and hundred years. Asphalt hardly last within ten years. “The first section is here( around the Umeh market ). And it’s about 2.5 kilometer.

The second section 3 kilometers spread out .” This is a road constructed within the flood lane. The flood of last year dealt terribly with it and the road was cut into two.

President Bola Tinubu directed that we should immediately remedy it.

“We have looked at the east-west road and we found that the water table is very high. There are a lot of flood plains on the road, so what we are doing is to isolate the locations the roads were constructed within the flood plains. And raise the road pavement with concrete.

“The contractor at Umeh has completed a section almost a kilometer. He is doing the relief cover so the water can escape from one point to the other. He has completed a section and will start work on the second section.

‘’We are doing the same thing towards Ahoada and Bayelsa. Before May 2025, it will be completed and we will come and commission the two sections. The contractor assured us,’’ the minister

During the inspection, the Minister interacted with youth and community leaders in the project areas. They expressed satisfaction with the quality of work and requested that more projects be extended to their communities.

Motorists and commuters also praised the ongoing work, noting the improvements made to previously dilapidated roads, which are now providing better value for taxpayers’ money.

Other ongoing projects inspected by the Minister include:

110.63 km Dualisation of Sapele – Agbor – Ewu Road (Section I: Sapele – Agbor), being handled by Messrs CGC (Nig) Ltd.

83.3 km Rehabilitation of Asaba-Agbor Dual Carriageway, Edo State Border, managed by Messrs Hartland (Nig) Ltd.

23.2 km Reconstruction of Benin-Sapele-Warri Dual Carriageway, Section III (Ibada Elume – Warri), under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, contracted to M/S Skecc (Nig.) Ltd.

Engr. Umahi urged the contractors to expedite their work, stressing that President Tinubu is eager to see the projects completed, as he is determined to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians due to poor road conditions.

The Minister also called for cooperation and understanding as the government continues its efforts to improve Nigeria’s road infrastructure.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/02/roads-why-were-championing-concrete-technology-umahi/

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