ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Nigerian Parliament has put a stop to the planned use of concrete in road construction projects across the country.
This decision, which was disclosed in the House of Representatives’ Thursday order paper, came as a result of concerns raised by Khadija Bukar Ibrahim, a legislator from Yobe state.
Ibrahim proposed the suspension due to the mounting worries about the “significant technical limitations and constraints” associated with the use of rigid cement concrete pavements in road construction.
She stressed the importance of investigating the adoption of concrete technology for road construction in Nigeria, particularly in comparison to asphalt.
This evaluation may necessitate changes to technical specifications and contract terms, considering that there are ongoing road projects that predate David Umahi’s ministerial appointment.
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As a response to these concerns, the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Ministry of Works to temporarily stop the widespread use of cement concrete in road construction pending the conclusion of the investigation.
This suspension has raised questions, especially in light of Minister David Umahi’s strong advocacy for cement in road construction. The minister had previously engaged in debates with road contractors who preferred asphalt over concrete.
Umahi had even claimed to have the support of President Bola Tinubu for this approach, asserting that no amount of opposition would sway his stance.
Furthermore, the House has tasked specific committees related to works, environment, finance, and judiciary to conduct a comprehensive examination of the advantages and disadvantages of using cement concrete versus asphalt in road construction. Their findings are expected to be reported within three weeks.