The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has expressed the ministry's support for the use of concrete technology in road construction, citing its inherent benefits. He emphasized that the ministry's stance on the use of either asphalt or concrete for federal road construction is based on the specific conditions that are associated with each material.

During a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja by the President of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari Wudil, Umahi highlighted the factors that led to the emphasis on concrete technology. He stressed that the decision should be understood by professionals and not by those lacking expertise in the field.

Umahi clarified that the ministry's position is not about comparing asphalt and concrete pavements, but rather about the specific conditions that apply to the use of each material based on the terrains. He pointed out that certain terrains in states necessitate the use of concrete, emphasizing that this is not a matter of choice. He illustrated this by stating, "You cannot put asphalt in water but you can put concrete into water."

The minister also expressed concern about the fluctuating prices of asphalt and concrete, noting that the increase in asphalt prices follows a geometric progression while that of concrete follows an arithmetic progression. He underscored the need for caution in light of the federal government's funding of the projects and the budgetary allocation of the Ministry of Works.

Umahi further pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian Society of Engineers to combat quackery and enhance the quality of engineering services, particularly in federal road projects. He emphasized the importance of professional ethics in engineering and expressed a commitment to working with the NSE to ensure proper supervision of road projects and to advocate for retraining programs across states.

Naijamatta is a social networking site,

download Naijamatta from Google play store or visit www.naijamatta.com to register. You can post, comment, do voice and video call, join and open group, go live etc. Join Naijamatta family, the Green app.