FG Deploys Reinforced Concrete Technology On East-West Road Project

The Federal Government has deployed reinforced concrete technology, to address pavement failures and rectify years of infrastructural neglect on the East-West Road of South-South Nigeria.

A statement by the Ministry of Works on Tuesday said the initiative is in line with the Renewed Hope agenda, which aims to provide all regions with the conditions needed to reach their full economic potential and ensure a sense of self-actualization for all Nigerians.

The statement quoted the Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze Umahi during his visit to the project sites at East West Road section II: Kaiama-Ahoada in Rivers/ Bayelsa States; the construction of Multiple  Box Culverts at flood-damaged locations along the dualisation of East-West Road, and the dualisation of East-West Road, Section II (subsection II).

Speaking after the inspection of work progress, the minister said that FG redesigned the inherited ongoing project, using reinforced concrete technology to end the perennial pavement failures and years of road neglect across the wetland Niger Delta.

He said that some sections of the East-West Road starting from Lokoja to Benin were also rescoped and redesigned in reinforced concrete, that the height of the road was increased above the flood level, and that the redesign factored 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. And so, the only new thing in all these locations under President Tinubu is the relief culverts that these two local contractors are putting in and are proving themselves to be of a very high reputation in terms of their work. We are encouraging many more local contractors to come and work because there’s so much to work.”

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 them that a 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.

The minister who also visited the KM 15 Section 3A of the East-West road (from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction), urged the contractor to re-mobilize at least xis sections of the project, to ensure timely project delivery, or be prepared to relinquish the other carriageway for award to another contractor.

He stated, “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 to fixing all the inherited ongoing projects, and backlogs of road infrastructure deficits nationwide orchestrated by many years of neglect.
He called for patience and understanding while commending President Tinubu for the glaring difference in road infrastructure under his administration.