Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to constructing durable, long-lasting roads across the country, stating that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is focused on delivering infrastructure that will stand the test of time for up to 100 years.
Speaking to journalists during an inspection tour of major highway projects in the South-West on Wednesday, Umahi said the government is now prioritizing the use of concrete pavement technology over traditional asphalt in a bid to enhance road longevity and performance.
The minister visited two key projects: the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode–Benin Expressway and Section II of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, which stretches from the Sagamu Interchange to Ojoo in Ibadan, Oyo State. He expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work on both sites, noting that the projects reflect a new era of infrastructure delivery in Nigeria.
“We are not just constructing roads, we are building infrastructure that will endure for over 100 years,” Umahi stated. “Show me an asphalt road in Nigeria that has lasted 50 years. Even the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, recently rehabilitated with asphalt, is already showing signs of failure in some sections. But the concrete road built in my state in the 1950s remains intact to this day.”
According to Umahi, the decision to adopt concrete pavement is based on its proven durability and cost-effectiveness over time. He stressed that while concrete may have higher upfront costs, it offers lower maintenance requirements and significantly longer lifespan compared to asphalt.
He also used the occasion to criticize the habit of indiscriminate refuse dumping on highways, calling it unpatriotic and a serious impediment to maintaining national infrastructure.
“Our highways are not dumping grounds,” he said. “This behavior undermines the government’s efforts to provide quality infrastructure and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.”
Umahi reiterated that the Tinubu administration is redefining standards for federal road projects, with a focus on sustainability, quality, and value for money.
