Concrete Technology Gaining Wider Acceptance By States— Engr Umahi Reveals
By Joyce Onuora, Abakaliki
In the vision of the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give Nigeria enduring infrastructure that will stimulate robust economic growth, the use of rigid pavement in the construction of roads has been widely welcomed as a more sustainable technology and viable solution to the infrastructure challenges in view of the local content components, durability, cost efficiency and predictability .
This was expressed by the Minister of Works, Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi during his inspection visit to the ongoing Federal Government road projects in Kogi State.
In a press statement signed by Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser ( Media) to the Minister on 11th March, 2024, stated that the Minister, was accompanied by the State Deputy Governor and representative of the Governor, Salifu Joel Oyibo and other State Government functionaries stated that concrete technology would create jobs for the teeming youths and women, reduce road failures, and guarantee durability and very little maintenance, and thus help in strengthening the economy of the country.
He commended Gitto Construction Nigeria Ltd and the CGC Nigeria Ltd for doing a good job. ” They are doing fantastic work. We’re trying to also bring our first concrete road technology to show the public that the moment you use this concrete technology for the next 50, 60, 70, 80 years, your road will continue to be there with zero maintenance. And that’s what we’ve agreed with contractors, especially on the new carriageway for Lokoja to Benin.” He said that in addition to the road projects being done by Federal Government along the highway, there would be a flyover at the Obajana junction in Lokoja that would resolve traffic problems and accidents along the road.
In his response, the Kogi State Governor, His Excellency, Ahmed Usman Ododo represented by his Deputy, commended the Federal Government of Nigeria under *President Bola Ahmed Tinubu* for according high priority to federal road projects in the State. He assured the Honourable Minister of Works of the continued cooperation and support of the Kogi State Government towards the completion of all federal road projects in the state.
The Honourable Minister who first visited Lokoja-Ganaja road which faild due to impact of flood in the area, the section of the Lokoja-Okene-Auchi-Benin Highway designed to have a flyover bridge around Obajana junction, the Felele-Akpanya sections of the Lokoja-Abuja Highway, also proceeded to inspect other sections of Lokoja – Abuja road projects, the Abuja – Lokoja Section IV , the special Intervention Abuja – Lokoja Section IV,, the Abuja – Lokoja Section III, the reconstruction of existing pavement and completion of the additional pavement on the dualization of Abuja – Lokoja Highway section111
