Minister of works, David Umahi, has directed that the failed portions of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway Section III, Enugu-Lokpanta in Enugu State, be redesigned with concrete pavement.
The minister in a statement yesterday in Abuja by the director of press and public relations unit, Lere-Adams Blessing, said some portions of the expressway inspected so far need 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 directive.
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.
“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 of highways South East take note,” he said.
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, he said the ministry will do its best to make sure fund is provided.
Earlier, the director Highways South East, Engr Bede Obioha briefed the minister on the project and also assured him that all the recommendations shall be implemented.
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.