‘It lasts 50 years’ — Umahi says FG considering concrete pavements for major roads

David Umahi, minister of works, says the federal government is considering making use of concrete for the construction of major roads in the country.

Umahi spoke in Akure on Friday during a courtesy visit to Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the acting governor of Ondo state.

The former governor of Ebonyi said the federal government will redesign yet-to-be-completed road projects to concrete pavements.

He said the use of cement for road construction has been tested in some states noting that it is cost cost-effective than bitumen.

While noting that the importation of bitumen is putting more pressure on the naira, Umahi said many roads built on concrete have a “shelf life of 50 years”.

“Very important thing that I must let you know is the introduction of concrete technology on our roads,” he said.

“We are sure that this is the way to go and it has a guarantee of 50 years.

“Not only that, you will find out that we are having so much pressure on the naira, the importation of bitumen is putting a lot of pressure on the naira.

“So cement is a local content, almost everything we need is being produced in Nigeria.

“Let me put it on record that bitumen imported in the 1950s and 1960s were of more quality than what we have today, and that’s why we are courageous to introduce the concrete road department.”

Umahi added that the recently awarded Akure-Ado-Ekiti expressway will be redesigned to a concrete pavement road.

On his part, Aiyedatiwa congratulated Umahi for his ministerial appointment, while calling for the rehabilitation of bad federal roads in the state.