Reps to probe Dave Umahi’s concrete road technology initiative

The House of Representatives has taken the initiative to investigate the implementation of concrete technology for road construction, as directed by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

This decision followed a motion put forward by Zainab Bukar on Thursday.

In her motion, Bukar highlighted the potential cost implications that may arise from the adoption of concrete technology for road construction by contractors. She pointed out that the minister is advocating for this new road construction system without conducting a comprehensive study of its comparative implications.

The lawmaker expressed concerns that the Minister of Works’ new policy on cement concrete pavement adoption, without thorough assessments of the comparative advantages and disadvantages when compared to asphalt, may lead to technical specification conflicts. This, in turn, could result in contract breaches, potential arbitration, and legal disputes, particularly during these challenging economic times.

As a result, the House of Representatives has tasked its Committees on Works, Environment, Finance, and Judiciary with investigating the pros and cons of using cement concrete versus asphalt for road construction. They are expected to provide a report within three weeks, which will guide further legislative action.