"Fight on turning to Concrete is a continuous one - Umahi Engineer David Umahi, the Minister of Works has said that the fight on turning to the use of Concrete Technology in road construction is a continuous one.   The Minister made this statement while on inspection tour of the Rehabilitation of Outstanding Section of Onitsha - Enugu Expressway under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme - Contract no 7629 on September 6, 2023.   In an interview with Journalists, he gave reasons for using this concrete technology to be loaded with a whole lot of benefits, as being durable with a life span of over fifty years (50), and that it can stand for these number of years before it will require maintenance more than bitumen imported into the Country that are more of sub-standard which cannot stand the number of expected years, also it's cheaper to build with much local content sourced materials. In his words " I have looked at the cost of bindal cause, the wearing costs on our roads, it is safer doing it on concrete, it's going to be cheaper, Niger Cat are doing it that's why I directed that the right-hand side of the Enugu - Onitsha Expressway be done on concrete".   He directed that Enugu Section lll - Port-Harcourt expressway by Messrs. CGC Nig Ltd also that the second carriage way be totally done on concrete, "we are safer on concrete in the South East and that's what we are going to be doing" he added.   Umahi frowned at the costing of Ozalla - Isu - Onitsha and additional 3km with bridges to cost fifteen billion naira, he instructed that the work be brought back to be looked at. " I saw the road leading to Ozalla - Isu - Onitsha, I'm very shocked that four bridges and 3km additional road is said to be costing fifteen billion, I believe strongly that there's no other way it will cost us more than three - four billion.   He made it known that contractors should stay aside when budget is too expensive and budgeting process is low because it's unhealthy for the contractor. " What I want to do when a budget is too expensive and budgeting process is very low, the contractors can stay aside like what we are witnessing ten to fifteen years, it's not healthy for the contractor, because he is losing money on equipment and maintaining the work".  "Ogbulafor - Okalagun roads because it was awarded in 2010, the whole shoulders are gone".   Earlier, the contractor while explaining the work, said it will be completed by April 2025 and also that there was no problem of funding. ...

FG Orders the Completion of Carriage Ways Before Working on Spurs... The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi has directed the contractors working on Federal roads in the South East Region to concentrate on the completion of carriageways first before working on the spurs to ensure the speedy completion of the project for use.   He made the declaration at the inspection of the construction of the Enugu – Onitsha Expressway in Enugu and Anambra States by MTN Nigeria Communication Plc, The Rehabilitation of Old Enugu – Onitsha Road (Opi Junction – Ukehe – Okpatu – Awhum, Abor –Udi – Oji to Anambra border and many other road construction projects at the ongoing inspection tours of all the federal roads project going on in the region.   The Minister ordered that the remaining portion of the roads still under construction be done using concrete pavement as he noticed that some of the road shoulders are already cracking because the quality of bitumen in use is of low quality and adulterated.   “I will allow the portions already laid with asphalt but the failing road shoulder should be replaced with concrete carriage, I know what I am saying, the quality of bitumen in this country is low and adulterated. We will not give up the fight till we get to the level where after construction, the road stays for 30 – 50 years before we talk of maintenance” he said.   Umahi maintained that the use of concrete technology in road construction is cheaper, safer and reduces the longer time contractors have to stay on site trying to patch failed portions after the project completion, and that with the use of concrete pavement, no one goes back to check if the road is failing or not because road failure when concrete is in use is laughable.   “It is safer doing it on concrete and cheaper, I believe strongly that when a project is so expensive it keeps the contractor a longer time on site because he will keep delaying to get all his payment meanwhile there is no money to pay him so he keeps staying on site doing nothing.   The Minister directed all contractors that have left their site because of payment to quickly and immediately move back to site or he will terminate the contract noting that the monies released already to the contractors from what he was told is supposed to complete the carriageways before requesting for additional money.   “I am optimistic that the money available will complete the work, come with your bill of quantity so we review it and give you proper directive, move back to site immediately to continue your work within 7 days or I terminate the contractor, you cannot say we are owing you and because of that you stop work” He said”.   Umahi promised the contractors that availability of fund is not going to be a challenge when they do their own part.  He added that he will be meeting with the funding partners and the one being financed through appropriation, all will be given attention.   “You said there is no money to complete the project, it is my duty to chase the debt, it is yours to go back to site.  I guarantee that the money will be paid, I will meet with the financers and we will do what we are supposed to do”.   The Minister demanded that the Director Highways South East, Engr. Bede Obioha brings up the entire project for review to see how they will put ideas together to ensure that all the outstanding projects be completed and be open for usage.   During his briefing, the Operations Manager, Niger Cat Construction Company Ltd. Engr. Fadi Mosaad welcomed the Minister and commended the Minister’s directives on the use of concrete pavement saying it’s going to help considering the soil texture and the terrain of the zone.   The projects visited are: Rehabilitation of old Enugu – Port Harcourt Road (Agbogugu – Abia Border spur to Mmaku, Rehabilitation of Oji – Achi – mmaku – Awgu – Ndeabgor Road section 1 in Enugu State, Construction of Ugwueme – Nenwenta – Mkwe – Ezere – Awunta – Obeagu – Mgbidi Nmaku Road in Enugu State, construction of Enugu – Onitsha Expressway in Enugu and Anambra States, The Rehabilitation of Old Enugu – Onitsha Road (Opi Junction – Ukehe – Okpatu – Awhum, Abor –Udi – Oji to Anambra. ...

The Ongoing Rehabilitation of Ozalla - Akpugo - Amagunze - Ihuokpara - Nkomoro - Isu - Onicha (Enugu - Onitsha) With A Spur to Onunwere in Enugu State Is Commendable - Umahi Minister of Works Engr. Dave Umahi has commended the ongoing rehabilitation of Ozalla - Akpugo -Amagunze - Ihuokpara - Nkomoro - Isu - Onitsha (Enugu - Onitsha) with a spur to Onunwere, Enugu State, by Arab contractors Nigeria Limited.   The Minister made the commendation while on inspection tour of the road on Tuesday September 5, 2023.   He pointed out some faults on the road to be as a result of using bad asphalt which led to the failure of the road, so the contractor has been directed to go back, redesign 1.6 kilometer and ensure the needed attention on rigid pavement on the right-hand side.   While addressing Pressmen, Umahi, attributed the major problem to be funding. In his words, "but I will acknowledge that our major problem is the issue of funding, there is no way any annual budget can fund it with Sukuk, it's difficult. So, we have to work out issues and see how we can source for the money". He added.   In his address, Director Highways in charge of the South East, Engr. Bide Obioha shed more light on the contract work. ...