FG Prohibits Asphalt Removal on Federal Roads, Umahi Announces New Construction Standards
Nkechinyere Ewa
The Federal Government has formally prohibited contractors from removing asphalt from federal roads across the country, as part of renewed efforts to improve road quality and end what it described as poor construction practices.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, announced the directive on Saturday in Enugu after inspecting ongoing federal road projects in Asaba Delta State, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states, including sections of the Enugu–Ebonyi corridor.
Umahi said the decision followed noticeable progress on the Enugu–Port Harcourt road, where one kilometre has been fully completed and another three kilometres are at advanced stages of construction. “We have taken a firm decision that asphalt must no longer be removed from our roads anywhere in Nigeria. Different roads require different treatments, but the era of removing asphalt is over,” the minister stated.
He explained that the Ministry of Works has instructed both the design and construction departments to immediately redesign federal roads to ensure greater durability. Under the new approach, road shoulders both inner and outer will be constructed with concrete, while the carriageway will be milled and strengthened with a reinforced stone base.
According to Umahi, the carriageway design will include a 10-centimetre stone base mixed with 3.5 per cent cement, followed by a 16mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. He added that solar-powered streetlights would be installed along major highways to enhance safety.
On the Enugu–Port Harcourt road, the minister expressed confidence that all inherited challenges on the project would be resolved before the end of 2026.“By the grace of God, and with the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the entire Enugu–Port Harcourt road will be fixed and the previous mess brought to an end by 2026,” he said.
Speaking on the Enugu–Ebonyi federal road project, Umahi praised the Enugu State Government for its ongoing dualisation works from the airport junction in Enugu to the Enugu–Ebonyi boundary.
He noted that the Federal Government is reconstructing the remaining stretch through Ebonyi State towards the Enugu–Benue axis, adding that the ₦180 billion project will be executed in phases due to its scale.“We cannot execute everything at once. Phase one must be completed this year, while phase two can run into next year,” the minister explained.
Umahi reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering long-lasting road infrastructure and urged contractors to comply strictly with the new construction standards.
