NESG: Dangote Again Advocates Concrete Roads

Wednesday, October 14, 2015 10:56 pm

Ahmed:“Concrete roads are 20 per cent cheaper to build. In the construction of concrete roads, the cement raw materials are readily available while asphalt is imported into the country.”

For Nigeria to achieve its long desired infrastructural development, it must embrace the use of concrete for road construction and other construction works. This is the fallout of the discussion on the state the country’s infrastructure at the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG).

Speaking at the ongoing 21st Summit of the NESG in Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Dangote’s Executive Director Stakeholders Relations and Corporate Communications, Engr Mansur Ahmed said it is a choice that Nigeria must make. His comment is against the backdrop of the theme of the Summit: “Tough Choices: Achieving Competitiveness, Inclusive Growth and Sustainability.”

Engr Ahmed also moderated the discussion session comprising the Governors of Kaduna, Katsina, Gombe, Bauchi, Benue and Kogi where he urged them to collaborate in the provision of infrastructure for their people. He said concrete roads make more economic sense for a country like Nigeria, as the use of Asphalt has left the roads in deplorable conditions. He noted that Asphalt is no longer in vogue in developed climes. He said the construction of concrete road is faster and can last for half a century compared to Asphalt.

Aliko Dangote earlier said in Lagos: “We are pushing for Nigeria to do a concrete road. It is cheaper to do a concrete road that will last 50 years than to do a bitumen road. It will also help in eliminating corruption because if you go and build a bitumen road, it will have to be adequately maintained unlike a concrete road that is very durable.”

Engr Ahmed also maintained that concrete roads are 20 per cent cheaper to build. According to him, in the construction of concrete roads, the cement raw materials are readily available while asphalt is imported into the country.

It would be recalled that the Chairman of Dangote Cement, Aliko Dangote, recently in Lagos also pleaded with the Federal Government to urgently consider the use of concrete roads in the country.
Concrete roads, according to him, will be to the benefit of Nigerians. Aside from being very cheap, he said concrete roads are more durable and that its maintenance cost is near zero.

According to him: “We are pushing for Nigeria to do a concrete road. It is cheaper to do a concrete road that will last 50 years than to do a bitumen road. It will also help in eliminating corruption because if you go and build a bitumen road, it will have to be adequately maintained unlike a concrete road that is very durable.”

Currently in 15 African countries, excluding Kenya, Niger and Mali, which are new projects, the company’s current total capacity stands at 48mmtpa, out of which Nigeria alone has the largest chunk of 29.3mmtpa.