David Umahi, minister of works, inspected major federal road projects on Friday. He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government built highways designed to last 100 years.
Umahi Visits Sites Across Southeast Nigeria
The minister toured the ongoing rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway. He examined pavement layers and drainage systems at multiple points. Moreover Umahi reviewed progress on the Abakaliki-Afikpo road. He confirmed that contractors applied strict quality controls.
Concrete Design Guarantees Longevity
David Umahi, minister of works, addressed engineers and journalists at the site. “The Federal Government is building roads that will last 100 years,” he said. “We shifted from asphalt to reinforced concrete because it resists heavy traffic and extreme weather.”
Furthermore, he explained the specifications. “Each road features a 30-centimetre-thick concrete slab with steel reinforcement and a proper sub-base,” Umahi stated.
Supervision Teams Monitor Every Stage
Additionally, Umahi directed all contractors to follow federal guidelines. He warned, “Any deviation from approved materials will lead to immediate contract termination and blacklisting.” As a result, quality assurance teams conducted daily tests on cement, aggregates and compaction levels.
Projects Cover Key National Routes
The Federal Government already awarded contracts for over 1,200 kilometres of such roads. These included sections of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria expressway.
Umahi Links Roads to Economic Growth
David Umahi, minister of works, also spoke about broader benefits. “Durable roads will cut vehicle maintenance costs by 60 percent and reduce travel time significantly,” he declared. He added that the initiative formed part of President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure renewal agenda.
Maintenance Remains Essential
However, Umahi stressed long-term care. “Even 100-year roads need routine checks, but the design minimises future repairs,” he noted.
The minister urged state governors to adopt the same concrete standard for their networks. Construction teams continued work into the weekend as monitoring intensified.
