By ABAH SUNDAY, Abuja
Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Sen. Nweze David Umahi, has stated that the use of concrete technology in road construction being driven by the President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration is a policy thrust of the ministry, a statement signed by his Media aide, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, has said.
The Minister who made this known when the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Tuesday noted that the policy aims to check the rampant cases of road failure witness across the country in recent times.
SUMMIT POST NEWS recalls that when the Minister assumed office months ago, among his top concerns was a situation whereby contractors would complete road projects that would not live even near their lifespan due to the poor material as well as job quality.
“The use of concrete technology on our road projects has become necessary in view of the peculiarity of the soil texture of parts of the country,” he said, adding that concrete pavement has been proven to have the advantages of energy efficiency, low maintenance, and durability.
According to him, concrete, which is a good insulator and a choice in regulating temperature in both hot and cold environments, would be good for roads in Kogi state.
The Minister thanked Governor Ododo for starting his administration on a good note by showing humility in leadership and charged him to write his name in gold by embarking on legacy projects that posterity will remember him for.
He promised to always encourage the Confluence State governor to key into the vision of the present administration to change the socio-economic narrative of the people of Kogi and, by extension, the country.
“You have demonstrated the capacity, ability, and humility to learn. Exploit the successes of others and add it to your own success. These are things that people do not know. I will encourage you any way we can, through the magnanimity of Mr President in your state.
“And we will also encourage you on this concrete road which you desire so much support for. I’m happy that your Commissioner for Works is here, and you have materials around your place. The Governor of Cross River was here yesterday, and he was emphasising that the concrete road is the way to go.
“And I’m ready to get some people that can come and stay with you, one week or two weeks, and you will get it started. You will see that it’s cheaper, it’s better, it’s long lasting and you have peace.
In fact, in the last two months, Mr President approved about 60 kilometres of concrete road in a session of Abuja -Lokoja road. We will start it next month. And it is going to be fully on concrete also”
On his part, the Governor who spoke earlier thanked the Minister for the great difference Nigerians are seeing in federal road projects under his watch, assuring that by the special grace of God he would not let the people of Kogi State down.
“We count on your experience to guide us anywhere you feel we are not doing very well. We are very open. We are learning. And we pray to God almighty to be a good ambassador of our people and Nigerians.I sincerely appreciate you, sir,” he said.
The Federal Highway System of Nigeria, also known as Trunk A national roads, connects economic and political centers within the country, in addition it links Nigeria with its neighboring countries. It constitutes a significant percentage of the total road network in the country.