Experts identify causes of road collapse in Nigeria

Experts have identified numerous factors resulting in the collapse of roads, pavement, and buildings across the country.

They listed inadequate pavement thickness, poor drainage, Low-quality materials, Inadequate asphalt content, lack of maintenance, design errors, among others as some of the factors causing damage to Nigerian roads.

They also appealed to road users to imbibe high maintenance of Nigerian roads to ensure safety and prevent wastages of government resources.

These were the submissions of some experts including the Former Nigeria Society of Engineers(NSE) Chairman Ekiti Branch, Engineer M.O Ogundare, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Road Infrastructure, Engineer Tope Fatukasi FNSE and Retired Permanent Secretary and former Chairman NSE Ekiti Branch Engineer Adeola Johnson FNSE during a zoom programme “Trouble Shooting Session” in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.

The session, which was moderated by Engr. Samuel Ogundare was organized by the Nigerian Institution of Engineers, Ekiti state chapter.

Speaking on the theme of the session, ‘Primary Factors in the Collapse of Road Pavement in the Country, ‘Ogundare added that insufficient pavement thickness, water accumulation, inadequate subgrade preparation could also cause erosion that would weaken the pavement structure, which may lead to collapse.

The expert also noted that using substandard materials, such as insufficient asphalt content, poor aggregate gradation and incorrect aggregate gradation, could lead to pavement cracking and collapse.

On his part, Fatukasi, who spoke on listed weather conditions, traffic loading, soil settlement as environmental factors that could lead to road damage, urged roads users to imbibe maintenance culture to prevent Nigerian highways from collapse.

Speaking further on the topic, Engineer Johnson FNSE explained that “Lack of Drainage, Poor Road Design, Inadequate Maintenance, Overloading, inadequate drainage systems, Poor Construction Materials, insufficient maintenance, failure to repair potholes, cracks, and other defects, can accelerate pavement deterioration.”

He called on the government to ensure proper monitoring and employ the services of experts in road construction, saying such would prevent road collapse and give room for durability.

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