He House of Representatives has decided to investigate the new policy of the Federal Ministry of Works regarding concrete roads.

The House, on Thursday, directed its Committees on Works, Environment, Finance and Judiciary to investigate the merits and demerits of using cement for road construction.

This resolution followed a motion tabled by Khadijah Abba-Ibrahim (APC, Yobe) during plenary.

concrete roads

The Minister of Public Works, David Umahi, has been at the forefront of the push for the use of cement for road construction, a move that could lead to a change in asphalt technology, which is common in the country.

The minister explained that given the increase in the cost of bitumen from N576,000 to N1 million per tonne with consequent consequences for asphalt, contractors are likely to increase the cost of road contracts beyond five per cent.

Bitumen is a black mixture of hydrocarbons used for road paving and roofing.

Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, has seen strong pushback from contractors over the cost implications of the changes the minister is recommending.

However, Umahi has insisted that contractors must comply with the changes.

Last week, Umahi gave a 14-day ultimatum to contractors to adopt concrete technology.

The movement

Presenting the motion, Ms Abba-Ibrahim said the policy was announced without any in-depth study by the government on limiting the technology.

He stated that the technology has significant limitations that could affect its implementation.

The motion said that “several studies have revealed that the use of rigid concrete/cement pavements in road construction has significant limitations and technical constraints:

“I am concerned that the Minister of Works’ new policy on the adoption of cement and concrete pavements without in-depth studies of the comparative advantages and disadvantages with asphalt may contradict technical specifications, which could lead to breaches of contracts and possible arbitrations and litigation during difficult economic times.

The lawmaker said most contractors obtained necessary approvals through due process, including “contractual agreements that have strict liquidated damages clauses.”

“The Public Procurement Directorate granted a “No Objection” due process certificate to the Federal Ministry of Works for the construction and rehabilitation of all federal road projects”

“The contractors submitted a Performance Bond of 10 percent of the contract amount to ensure successful completion of the project,” he added.

The motion was adopted unanimously when put to a vote by Vice President Ben Kalu, who chaired the session.