Aluta News
The stakeholders, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in interviews on Thursday in Lagos, said that concrete was more durable and cost-effective.
They were reacting to the Federal Government’s shift from use of asphalt to concrete in road constructions.
The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, had said that over 70 per cent of federal highways under construction were being done with concrete.
Mr Kunle Awobodu, a past President of Nigerian Institute of Building, said that concrete was a more durable and long-lasting road material compared to asphalt, particularly in environments where water was a significant factor.
He said: “Concrete is generally more durable than asphalt, especially when it comes to resisting effects of water.
“Water is a major threat to asphalt roads while concrete is more resistant to its damaging effects.
” However, both concrete and asphalt roads require a solid base for proper support.”
Awobodu also said that concrete roads tended to last longer than asphalt roads in terms of wear and tear.
He cited an example where a road had concrete and asphalt sections, and the concrete section showed less wear and tear after many years.
Mr Olumide Adewebi, the immediate past Vice-President International, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, said that concrete was more suitable for roads experiencing heavy traffic.
According to the surveyor, concrete would withstand wear and tear caused by numerous vehicles and prevent formation of potholes.
“The Gbagada Oshodi Apapa Expressway done by Dangote is a classic example.
“That was a heavily-used road, and the kind of traffic it carried affected adversely its asphalt structure. This caused huge craters and, in turn, hold-up.
“The use of concrete was a game changer as we can all see.
” I think that the fact that the minister of works is a seasoned engineer has a huge influence on this new direction of the Federal Government,” Adewebi said.
He said that although concrete might have higher initial costs, savings in maintenance, reduced need for frequent repairs, and improved traffic flow would outweigh the costs overtime.
He, however, emphasised the need to follow specifications and standard procedures during the construction to ensure the quality of concrete roads.
“I personally think it is a good one. I only plead that specifications and standard processes / procedures are followed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Adesegun Banjoko, National President, Association of Block moulders of Nigeria, said that the shift to concrete roads could negatively impact block makers.
He said that the shift might increase demand for cement and raise the cost of building blocks or reduce their quality.
“This shift from asphalt to cement will affect built environment. It will make cement to cost more, and people will be managing cement and it could cause building collapse.
“Right now cement price is over N8,500 per bag.
“Using less cement than required can affect the structural integrity and increase the risk of collapse,” he said.
NAN reports that the Federal Government recently directed the contractor handling palliative work on Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway to re-construct with concrete or leave.
NAN