The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi has directed that the failed portions of the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway Section III : Enugu – Lokpanta in Enugu State should be redesigned with concrete pavement.
The Minister stated this at the inspection of the road which marks the beginning of his South East road inspection tour scheduled to take place throughout the week starting from Tuesday 5th September – Saturday 9th September 2023.
Umahi reaffirmed that construction work on the federal roads must be done right to avoid coming back to redo an already completed work, he commented on some portions where the binder wearing has been completed but has now failed.
“We noticed a couple of failures in some completed and uncompleted sections, contractors must go back and amend them, I believe that bad asphalt resulted to the failure and we cannot take that”’ He said
The Minister pointed out that some portions of the expressway inspected so far needs urgent and immediate attention and directed the Director in charge of the South East geo-political zone, Engr.Bede Obioha from the Ministry to come up with recommendations for the accomplishment of his directives.
“From Km 0+00 left hand side needed immediate attention up to Ozalla and should be amended on rigid pavement and the entire right hand side also must be on same rigid pavement, Director Highways south East take note.
Umahi commended the contractor for the work done so far and encouraged them to continue to keep the pace and on the issue of finance, the Ministry will do their best to make sure fund is provided.
Addressing the Minister earlier, the Director Highways South East, Engr.Bede Obioha briefed the Minister on the project and also assured him that all the recommendations sited shall be corrected.
The Contractor, Messrs CGC Nigeria Limited thanked the Minister for visiting the site and promised to work on the failed portions but revealed that the challenge they have is paucity of fund as well as the rainy season, after which, the failed portions shall be corrected .
