The federal government has announced new measures to address pavement failures and years of neglect on the East-West Road in South-South Nigeria. Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, made this announcement during his visit to the project sites along the East-West Road, specifically the Kaiama-Ahoada section in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
The construction efforts include the installation of multiple box culverts at flood-damaged locations, with the dualization of the road being handled by Rock Results Nigeria Ltd and SETRACO Nigeria Ltd. Umahi revealed that the project has been redesigned using reinforced concrete technology to combat the persistent issues of pavement failures that have plagued the region.
The minister noted that certain sections of the East-West Road, extending from Lokoja to Benin, have also been rescoped and redesigned to account for the unique environmental and soil conditions that contributed to past failures. The height of the road has been increased above flood levels to enhance its durability.
During his inspection, Umahi acknowledged the impact of climate change on the flooding that affected the road sections but praised the local contractors for their commitment to the ongoing work, despite payment delays. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to manage flood risks effectively.
Umahi also visited KM 15 Section 3A of the East-West Road, where he commended the quality of work being done by RCC Nigeria Ltd. He urged the contractor to expedite progress on multiple sections to ensure timely completion, warning that failure to do so could result in the reallocation of the project to another contractor.
The minister reiterated the federal government’s commitment to addressing the long-standing infrastructure deficits in the country, highlighting President Tinubu’s directive for maximum attention to be given to the East-West Road project. He expressed optimism that the project would be completed by December, contingent on the pace of work.