By Okey Ifeachor (Contributing Editor)
There is no doubt that the concrete roads policy and advocacy of the immediate-past governor of Ebonyi State and current Minister of Works, Engr David Nweze Umahi, is a laudable initiative.
But in Ebonyi state where the experiment of this policy was first carried out, it appears to be a tale of woes, as not a few supporters and critics of the policy are beginning to wonder what has actually happened with the evident technical decifiency already being manifested by the said concrete roads in most parts of Ebonyi state.
The dilapidated Enugu-Abakaliki Road
A random survey of most of those roads in Ebonyi state by NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Newspaper Contributing Editor, reveals that major portions of most of those roads in Ebonyi highways and in-land roads are beginning to fail. They have started manifesting all manner of ugly cracks, caving in to consequent potholes so dangerous as to cause fatal accidents on those highways, especially at night.
Beyond cracks and potholes, deep gullies, even at the middle of some of those roads, are already manifesting, raising questions as to whether the technical failures manifesting so soon after they were built by the Engr Dave Umahi's administration in the state was a result of poor job or use of inferior construction materials, or that the texture of the roads were unsuitable for use of concrete materials for the civil engineering work. Many posers!
However, pictures of those cement roads otherwise known as 'concrete roads' obtained by NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Newspaper, revealed that some of the roads so affected by the technical defects includes the Enugu - Abakaliki major highway road which falls within the Ebonyi state axis of the highway and the Nkalagu -Ikem - Eha Amufu road.
There are contending arguments among road construction experts as to the actual durability of concrete road as against asphalt road. While some opinions argue that concrete or cement built roads, indeed, have long-lasting benefits and lifespan, others contend, however, that it is quite expensive and difficult to maintain. The later view added that asphalted roads are both cost effective and manageable.
This is perhaps why some local road contractors most of who are used to building asphalted roads which is said to be cheaper for them to undertake in terms of cost are up in arms against the Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi and his concrete road construction policy.
Umahi has been vigorously campaigning that if Nigeria wants a quality, durable and efficient road system in Nigeria going forward, concrete roads, though reasonable costly, is just the only way. NNL.
