The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is putting an end to more than three decades of substandard road construction in Nigeria through the introduction of durable, high-quality projects nationwide.
Umahi made this known during an inspection of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway, where he revealed that new construction standards are now being applied to ensure roads last between 50 to 100 years without major repairs.
Umahi noted that for over 30 years, successive governments had engaged in road projects that lacked durability, leading to repeated reconstructions. According to him, “the reason is our construction method, which is why I said President Bola Tinubu is not constructing roads, he is building roads.” He added that the new approach under the current administration would serve as a benchmark for future projects across the country.
The minister criticized the poor construction methods adopted in the past, saying they contributed to the recurring road failures. “When Julius Berger was handling this project, they removed the asphalt and mixed it with laterite. That is not an acceptable method. When you bring fresh laterite, the compaction and consolidation will not match what had been there for years, and that is why failures start occurring even before completion,” he explained.
Umahi also pointed out that asphalt has a life span of just 25 years, after which it begins to deteriorate. However, he stated that President Tinubu’s new policy direction focuses on concrete roads, which are more resilient and can last up to 50 years. “The President is setting a new standard by insisting on durable concrete roads that won’t need constant repairs,” Umahi said, adding that such projects would save future governments from wasteful spending on reconstruction.
Giving an update on the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, the minister disclosed that Section 1 of the project would be completed ahead of schedule, by February 2026. He revealed that the President had already approved the payment of over N120 billion for the first phase of the project, which covers 118 kilometres, with 86 kilometres built on concrete. He further said that the Kano section would have solar-powered lighting, enhancing safety for road users.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, who was also part of the inspection team, praised Umahi for his dedication and assured Nigerians of timely delivery of the project. “We have deployed 285 pieces of equipment along this road to make sure we meet our target. The President’s commitment to quality infrastructure is evident in the progress we have seen,” Goronyo said, adding that Tinubu’s administration remains focused on building durable road networks to boost national development.