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By Maduka Nweke, [email protected]
The Federal Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said that concrete technology has been fully embraced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as it is aimed at solving problems of road failures encountered in road infrastructure development. The minister gave the indication when the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Mabushi, Abuja recently. The minister said the use of concrete technology on the nation’s road projects has become necessary in view of the peculiarity of the soil texture of parts of the country. He stated that concrete pavement has been proven to have advantages of energy efficiency, low maintenance and durability. According to him, concrete, which is a good insulator and good choice in regulating temperature in both hot and cold environments, would be good for roads in Kogi State.
He thanked the Kogi State Governor for starting his administration on a good note and showing humility in leadership. He charged him to write his name in gold by embarking on legacy projects that posterity will remember him for.
He promised to always encourage the governor in the vision of the present administration to change the socio-economic narrative of the country. “You have demonstrated the capacity, ability and humility to learn. Exploit the successes of others and add it to your own success. These are things that people do not know. I will encourage you any way we can, through the magnanimity of the president in your state. And we will also encourage you by this concrete road you desire so much support for.
“And I’m happy that your Commissioner for Works is here, and you have materials around your place. The Governor of Cross River was here yesterday, and he was emphasising that the concrete road is the way to go. And I’m ready to get some people that can come and stay with you, one week or two weeks, and you will get it started. You will see that it’s cheaper, it’s better, it’s long lasting and you have peace. In fact, in the last two months, Mr. President approved about 60 kilometres of concrete road in a session of Abuja -Lokoja Road. We will start it next month. And it is going to be fully on concrete also.”
On his part, the Governor who spoke earlier, thanked the minister for the great difference Nigerians are seeing on Federal Government’s road projects under his watch. He assured the minister that by the grace of God, he would not let the people of Kogi State down.
“We count on your experience to guide us anywhere you feel we are not doing very well. We are very open. We are learning. And we pray to God almighty to be a good ambassador of our people and Nigerians. I sincerely appreciate you sir.”
The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, had on February 26, 2024 had a closed minister in his office on ways his state can best tap into the road infrastructure interventions of the Federal Government.
