In a startling revelation, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has expressed dismay over the short lifespan of roads constructed in Nigeria, lasting only 2 to 3 years compared to global standards of 30 to 40 years.
During a meeting with a delegation from the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) in Abuja on Wednesday, Umahi, represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata, attributed the poor quality of roads to malpractices by certain engineers in the construction industry.
“One discovers that a road which is constructed in other parts of the world, which will last 30 or 40 years, is not so in Nigeria. In Nigeria, such lasts just for two or three years,” Umahi remarked.
He emphasized the federal government’s determination to collaborate with stakeholders to eradicate unethical practices and ensure the construction of durable roads across the country.
Furthermore, Umahi assured the NAE of the government’s commitment to restoring funding for the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
He also emphasized that only COREN-recognized practitioners would oversee road projects to maintain compliance with standards.
In response, the NAE sought collaboration with the ministry of works for capacity building and the enhancement of engineering laboratories.
They also stressed the need for policy support to implement innovative construction techniques and materials.
