FG Bans Use of Laterite in Road Construction

The Federal Government of Nigeria has imposed a ban on the use of laterite as a foundational material in road construction. The decision was announced by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during the inauguration of a committee overseeing the reconstruction of the Benin-Warri dual carriageway and the dualization of the East-West Road, Port Harcourt-Onne Port junction road in Rivers State.

The directive, which takes immediate effect, stipulates that contractors must replace laterite with lumps, sharp sand, and stone as the base before laying concrete or asphalt pavement. This decision stems from concerns regarding laterite’s limited load-bearing capacity, vulnerability to erosion and weathering, especially in regions with heavy rainfall, leading to road degradation over time and increased maintenance challenges.

Minister Umahi emphasized the government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure for the benefit of citizens, stating, “We are not insisting that things have to change without a reason, but that society is demanding sustainability and integrity in the work they are doing.”

Furthermore, the Minister has mandated a continuous maintenance regime for all roads under construction until project completion. He urged the newly inaugurated Road Taskforce Team to ensure contractors receive timely information about this development and uphold the standards set by the Ministry to improve Nigerian road networks.

Minister Umahi stressed the importance of road infrastructure in driving economic growth, education, security, and power supply in the country. He reaffirmed President Buhari’s commitment to road infrastructure improvement and called on all stakeholders to contribute to achieving this goal.

In addition to the ban on laterite, Minister Umahi instructed the committee to maintain daily supervision and documentation of contractors’ activities. Any deviations from the specified construction methods or neglect of maintenance responsibilities will result in appropriate sanctions. He also emphasized the need for contract stability, warning against variations in contract costs and urging asphalt pavement contractors to ensure their contracts are sustainable and cost-effective.

Moreover, Minister Umahi stated that mobilization funds would only be released to contractors who have already mobilized 50% of their equipment and personnel to the construction site, reinforcing the government’s commitment to ensuring the rights of both contractors and citizens.

This decision represents a significant shift in Nigeria’s road construction practices, with a focus on improved infrastructure quality, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, ultimately benefiting the country’s citizens. The government’s resolve to uphold these new standards is evident in its commitment to road infrastructure development while staying within the allocated budget.