Substandard work allegations on Ore–Ondo–Akure road project false – Umahi

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has dismissed allegations of substandard construction on the ongoing Ore–Ondo–Akure highway expansion project, assuring Nigerians of the road’s structural integrity and adherence to approved international standards.

The minister who stated this on Thursday, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done by the contractor, said the project is being executed to last more than 50 years, reflecting the federal government’s commitment to delivering durable, safe, and cost-effective infrastructure.

Umahi’s reassurance followed a viral video by a content creator who questioned the use of wire mesh instead of heavier iron rods in some sections of the project.

Speaking through the Controller of Works in Ondo, Olajide Hussein, during an inspection at the Ajue corridor in Odigbo Local government area of the state, the minister clarified that the use of wire mesh in certain areas was both deliberate and standard engineering practice.

While assuring that there is no cause for concern, Umahi disclosed that the construction of the 86.43-kilometre highway is in accordance with approved engineering designs and specifications, adding that the structural integrity of the pavement was not compromised.

He said, “We also saw the viral video, and the complainant specifically mentioned the use of wire mesh on the outer shoulders and suggested that the contractor use the same heavy reinforcement here on the carriage where we are standing with the outer shoulders.

“There is a functional difference between the main carriageway and the outer shoulder. So there are also structural differences in their construction.

“The main carriageway is the central part of the road pavement, and it is used for continuous traffic, with very heavy traffic loads running constantly.

“We have trailers, trucks, buses, and other kinds of articulated vehicles. So it experiences very high flexural stresses, and it has to be designed to counter these forces. ‎

“The outer shoulder, on the other hand, is expected to carry only occasional loads, maybe for diversions, maybe a vehicle breaks down and needs to be removed from the main carriageway to aid continuation of traffic, or for short stops to pick up and drop off passengers.

“So it doesn’t experience this continuous axle load, and it is designed with minimal reinforcement.

“Now, the use of A142 wire mesh, which you have seen on the outer shoulder, is a standard practice all over the world. In Nigeria and internationally, it is a standard practice.

“We use the heavy reinforcement which you can see on the carriageway because of the flexural stresses, and we use light wire meshes on the outer shoulders because they don’t carry as much load.

“So if you go to all our single carriageway rigid road constructions nationwide, you will find a similar design. It is not peculiar to the Ore-Ondo-Akure Road. It is not peculiar to Ondo State. It is a highway standard found in Nigeria and internationally.”

Umahi also clarified that the road project is a single carriageway, not a dual carriageway, but with significant design improvements.

“The only addition is the shoulder. The current condition of the road before this construction had no shoulder, and in the few cases where there was a shoulder, it was a surface-dressed shoulder. So now, the government has introduced a full 2.75-metre shoulder on each side.

“The contract is for a 4-year duration, and the contractor is fully on course, poised to complete before the end of the four years.

“It is a very standard road built according to international standards. Initially, the road was built using asphalt.

“But now, the ministry’s policy is to build all new roads with the CRCP technology, that is, Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement, which stands a better chance of surviving longer than the asphalt we were initially using.”