In a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, expressed his commitment to overseeing the construction of roads that would stand the test of time, with an impressive lifespan of at least 50 years. Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, decried the prevalent issue of road deterioration shortly after their completion and stressed the need for a revolution in road construction techniques.
“The lifespan of a road is between five to seven years. That should not be. And that’s why everywhere, we are putting money on projects and not getting value for it,” Umahi remarked. He emphasized the importance of reevaluating the current construction methods, advocating for the adoption of cutting-edge concrete technology, and aligning road construction techniques with the nation’s climate.
Umahi’s innovative approach has garnered support from President Bola Tinubu, who has vowed to allocate funds for high-quality road projects while also focusing on minimizing construction costs. “We are looking at all these things. How do we cut down costs? Because the primary issue is also the cost of construction,” Umahi explained.
The Minister is determined to bridge the gap between cost-effectiveness and quality by engaging contractors to embrace the change. “I am telling them your profit, I will protect whatever thing you want to make but, let’s help Nigeria, let’s build a road that will last and the funny thing is that the government—the President will give out the money,” he asserted.
Umahi’s vision for long-lasting roads and his collaboration with President Bola Tinubu signal a promising transformation in Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape. The proposed integration of advanced construction technology, coupled with a strategic focus on cost reduction, holds the potential to revolutionize the nation’s road networks, ensuring durability and maximizing value for every investment made.
