Umahi Says Tinubu’s Concrete Roads Will Last 100 Years
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said road projects under the administration of President Bola Tinubu are designed to last over 100 years, as the Federal Government shifts from asphalt to concrete pavement nationwide.
Umahi made the disclosure on Saturday while addressing journalists at the Amansea section of the 107-kilometre Onitsha-Awka-Enugu Expressway after inspecting ongoing construction works.
He stated that road construction in the country was no longer “business as usual,” emphasising that projects are now being executed with reinforced concrete pavement to ensure durability and long-term value.
According to the minister, the transition from asphalt to concrete is part of a broader infrastructure reform aimed at delivering roads that can withstand heavy usage and adverse weather conditions for up to a century.
He expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work by Reynolds Construction Company and MTN Nigeria and their subcontractors, describing the expressway as one of the most significant legacy projects of the Tinubu administration in the South-East.
The 107-kilometre highway linking Enugu and Anambra states is being reconstructed under the Federal Government’s tax-credit scheme, with MTN Nigeria initially awarded the entire project at a cost of N202 billion.
Umahi said about 23 kilometres of the road are being executed in concrete by Reynolds Construction Company, with the first 20 kilometres already completed. He added that the remaining section would also be built with reinforced concrete capable of lasting up to 100 years.
He explained that while asphalt roads in Nigeria rarely last beyond 15 years, the new concrete design comprising binder layers and reinforced pavement offers significantly longer lifespan and improved resilience.
The minister also highlighted additional features to be integrated into the completed highway, including solar-powered streetlights, closed-circuit television surveillance, speed monitoring systems and security patrol vans.
Umahi noted that similar concrete technology is being deployed on other major federal highways, including the East-West Road, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, Trans-Sahara routes and projects in Sokoto and Badagry.
He directed that the 23-kilometre RCC/MTN tax-credit section be executed with inner and outer shoulders, properly built laterals and structural reinforcement to align with the existing asphalt level.
The minister said regular inspection of road projects nationwide is aimed at ensuring accountability and value for public funds, adding that the government remains committed to meeting agreed timelines despite possible weather disruptions.
Although the original agreement with MTN targeted April completion, Umahi acknowledged that the deadline may shift, stressing that the government intends to protect the road from rain damage during construction.
He urged residents of the South-East to support the President’s infrastructure drive, describing the ongoing works as a transformative intervention in a region long affected by infrastructure deficits.
Also speaking, the Federal Controller of Works in Anambra State, Augustine Opara, and his Enugu State counterpart, Ndem Smart, commended the minister’s leadership and assured that the project is now targeting completion by May 2026.
They reaffirmed the commitment of contractors and supervising engineers to deliver the highway according to the new durability standards set by the Federal Government.
