The Federal Government has introduced reinforced concrete technology to address pavement failures and long-standing infrastructure issues on the East-West Road in South-South Nigeria.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Works on Tuesday, this initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda, aimed at enabling all regions to reach their full economic potential and fostering a sense of self-fulfillment among Nigerians.
The statement quoted Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze Umahi, who visited the project sites on the East-West Road, specifically the Kaiama-Ahoada section in Rivers/Bayelsa States. The visit included inspections of multiple box culverts being constructed at flood-damaged locations and the dualization of East-West Road, Section II (subsection II).
Following the inspection, the minister noted that the Federal Government had redesigned the ongoing project using reinforced concrete to address persistent pavement failures and decades of road neglect in the wetland Niger Delta.
He added that sections of the East-West Road from Lokoja to Benin were also redesigned with reinforced concrete. The road’s elevation was increased above flood levels, and the redesign took into account the area’s unique environment, geomorphology, and soil characteristics, which had previously contributed to the failures of flexible pavement used by past administrations.
On the Kaiama-Ahoada section, he said, “When we came on board, the job was already awarded by the past administration. And so, the only new thing in all these locations under President Tinubu is the relief culverts that these two local contractors are putting in and are proving themselves to be of a very high reputation in terms of their work. We are encouraging many more local contractors to come and work because there’s so much to work.”
He observed that the impact of climate change was largely responsible for the flood that came over the two sections of the road, but commended the two contractors handling the relief culverts for their deep commitment to the intervention work despite having not been paid.
He stated, “And so our directive is that the contractor shouldn’t open more relief culverts. Let us contain the floods by working with NDDC. And I commend the MD of NDDC for the fantastic work they are doing.”
While seeking for patience on the side of the road users, he assured them that a permanent solution was underway, as the project was being procured to raise the road above the flood level while reinforced concrete of 12 inches would be used to do the overlay.
The minister who also visited the KM 15 Section 3A of the East-West road (from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction), urged the contractor to re-mobilise at least xis sections of the project, to ensure timely project delivery, or be prepared to relinquish the other carriageway for award to another contractor.
He stated, “It is Presidential order that this road should be given the maximum attention, and that’s why he asked me to come and look at it, and then give him a report. So, we’re looking at December for project delivery, but certainly not at the pace that RCC is going.”
In response to remarks made by Clergy Buba Isa regarding the condition of some federal roads, the minister reaffirmed the Renewed Hope administration’s dedication to addressing all inherited ongoing projects and resolving the accumulated road infrastructure deficits caused by years of neglect.
He urged for patience and understanding while praising President Tinubu for the noticeable improvements in road infrastructure under his administration.