By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The President Tinubu Bola Ahmed-led Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) through the Ministry of Works, has adopted new measures to check pavement failure along the being constructed East-West Road.
Minister of Works Senator David Umahi revealed this during his visit to project sites at East-West Road section II: Kaiama- Ahoada in Rivers/ Bayelsa States, a statement signed his media aide, Barr. Orji U. Orji, said.
The construction of Multiple Box Culverts at flood damaged locations of the being dualised East-West Road by Messrs Rock Results Nigeria Ltd and the dualisation of East West Road, Section II (sub section II) handled by SETRACO Nigeria Ltd kicked off 22nd July, 2024.
Speaking after the inspection of work progress, the Minister directed the redesigning of the inherited ongoing project using reinforced concrete technology to end the perennial pavement failures across the wetland Niger Delta.
He said that some sections of the East-West Road starting from from Lokoja to Benin were also rescoped and redesigned in reinforced concrete, and that the height of the road was increased above the flood level.
According to him, the redesign factored in the peculiar environment, geomorphology, and soil characteristics which were responsible for the failures of flexible pavement used over the years by successive administrations.
On the Kaiama-Ahoada section, he said,”When we came on board, the job was already awarded by the past administration, so the only new thing in all these locations under President Tinubu is the relief culverts that these two local contractors are putting.
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 that 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.
Umahi who also visited the KM 15 Section 3A of the East- West road (from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction) handled by Messrs RCC Nigeria Ltd, commended the quality of work being done but urged the contractor to re-mobilise at least in 6 sections of the project to ensure timely project delivery or be prepared to relinquish the other carriageway for award to another contractor.
He said, “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.”
While reacting to the statement credited to a Clergy, Buba Isa, on the state of some federal roads, the Minister reiterated the commitment of the Renewed Hope administration in doing justice to all the inherited ongoing projects and backlogs of road infrastructure deficits nationwide occasioned by many years of neglect.