The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has revealed that the federal government is committed delivering quality road infrastructure for the country within the shortest possible time.
The minister who played host to the leadership of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) in his office in Abuja also revealed that the federal government has adopted both concrete and asphalt in road construction of roads depending on the topography of the area the roads are to be constructed.
He assured his visitors that President Bola Tinubu “is committed to outstanding quality, value for money, innovation, responsiveness, fast deliveries and technical expertise in road infrastructure development in Nigeria.”
According to Engr. Umahi, the federal government has created a new policy framework that will guide all road construction and maintenance in the country.
He listed the new policy parameters as,
“Good stabilized and tested subgrade, sub-base course before pavement placement,
“Expose subgrade, sub-base and base course to 60 days vehicular movement and continuous sheep-foot rolling before pavement placement.
“Introduction of reinforced concrete road pavement in most roads carriageway and shoulders.
“Continuous maintenance of all roads under construction throughout the life of the project
under contract.
“Effective design of road infrastructure anchored on detailed report of environmental site conditions and geotechnical report and “community relations in terms of keeping roads motorable under the period of the contract.
Speaking on the controversy over the adoption of concrete for roads construction in Nigeria, the minister stated that, “When you start to compare asphalt and concrete, it is if all things are equal, here all things are not equal, there are many factors why we are talking about concrete.”
In his remarks, the President of the NSE Engr.Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari Wudil praised the minister for the excellent work he has been doing. He noted that the works of Engr. Umahi as governor of Ebonyi State stand as a testimony of his capability. Engr. Wudil said that the NSE is “proud” of Umahi as one of “their own.”
“Since after your assumption of office, we have been monitoring your progress, and I must tell you we are not surprised, what you did as Governor in Ebonyi State is amazing. We visited you when you were the Governor of Ebonyi State and I am going to visit your Governor now. I must go because it is like a pilgrimage…. In fact Your Excellency, we are proud of you,” the NSE boss concluded.
