The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued a stern warning to contractors who insist on the usage of asphalt in road construction despite his directive to switch over to concrete, warning that they will face the consequences alone should the roads fail before their lifespan.
The minister stated this while meeting with 46 contractors handling road projects in the Southeast region as well as four contractors from the Northeast over the weekend at the ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, according to an official statement from the ministry’s Press and Public Relations Unit.
Umahi, who in an interview with Channels TV last week expressed his desire for Nigeria to switch from the usage of asphalt to concrete cement because of the durability maintained,
Under his watch, road construction, starting from design and actual construction, must henceforth meet the needed requirements.
He said, “We will get it right; the time to do a good job is here. If you were doing a bad job before, this period is not for you. Every 24 hours that I work must be characterized by good and acceptable construction that will last.”
Having introduced and perfected the usage of concrete cement for road construction in Ebonyi State when he held sway as governor, Umahi reiterated his belief in the use of concrete technology in road pavement because of its durability and affordability, explaining that such roads do not also need much maintenance.
He further asked the contractors to decide on the use of asphalt or concrete, but said that if any of them decides to continue the use of asphalt, then they will sign an undertaking that if the road fails, they will bear the burden.
“I will challenge you, contractors, that the use of concrete technology on our road pavement is the best. The nation is endowed with natural resources, so we should be prepared for the renewed hope of the present government, which is anchored on change.
“My instruction is for us to start using concrete technology, but if you insist on using asphalt, you will sign an undertaking for me that if the road fails, you will bear the burden alone, ’’ the minister explained.
Umahi went on to encourage the contractors to embrace the new technology with ease, which he said would help cushion the effect of dilapidated roads in the Southeast region of the nation because of the terrain in the area.
