FG Targets 100-Year Lifespan For Highways With Concrete Policy

Minister Mandates Concrete for Federal Road Projects

NIGERIA’S Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed contractors handling federal road projects nationwide to adopt concrete technology in place of asphalt, declaring that new highways must be built to last up to 100 years.

Umahi issued the directive on Saturday in Awka during an inspection of the ongoing reconstruction of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, a key economic corridor linking southeastern commercial hubs.

According to the minister, the Federal Government is phasing out heavy reliance on asphalt, which he said typically lasts no more than 15 years under Nigerian conditions.

“The era of so much use of asphalt has gone,” Umahi stated. “We are constructing our roads with concrete for long-lasting durability.”

Progress on Enugu–Onitsha Expressway

The Enugu–Onitsha Expressway project is being handled by Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), with funding support linked to tax contributions from MTN Nigeria.

Umahi disclosed that RCC is constructing approximately 23 kilometres using concrete pavement, with the first 20 kilometres already completed. An additional 13 kilometres are also under construction with reinforced concrete, while other segments are being executed under a tax credit arrangement.

He added that a subcontractor, Niger Cat, is nearing completion of its assigned section, with minimal outstanding work expected within two weeks.

The minister specifically mentioned that the Immigration Junction–Amansea border section of the highway is scheduled for completion by May 2026.

Nationwide Policy Shift

Umahi said the ministry’s sustained inspection of road projects across the country is intended to ensure quality control and value for public funds.

He cited ongoing and planned concrete-based projects, including sections of the East-West Road, the Trans-Sahara route, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the proposed Sokoto-Badagry corridor.

The minister attributed the shift in construction strategy to the infrastructure agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that concrete roads offer improved resilience against flooding, heavy traffic loads and climate-related wear.

Call for Regional Support

Umahi urged residents of the Southeast geopolitical zone to acknowledge what he described as significant federal road investments in the region.

Infrastructure experts note that while concrete roads are costlier upfront, they often require less frequent maintenance and can provide long-term economic benefits if properly constructed and supervised.

The ministry maintains that the policy shift will mark a new standard for durability and accountability in Nigeria’s federal highway system.