Leeway to improved road projects, by Lafarge experts

If Nigeria and other African countries adopt new solutions for road constructions, it can save at least $2.5 billion yearly on failed road projects.

According to experts at LafargeHolcim, out of about $40 billion expended on road constructions yearly in the African continent, between 0.1 to 0.2 per cent GDP savings can be realised yearly on right road design.

Manager, Road Project, LafargeHolcim, Lyon, Paris, Eugen Florescu, while unveiling the company’s ‘Road Integrated Offer’ solution at a stakeholders’ engagement explained that adoption of the integrated solution helps Nigeria and other African countries to address failing road projects.

Florescu added that the solution speeds up country development, enhances wiser public allocations consumption, helps government to participate in a more efficient and dynamic road industry.

He expressed worry on the adoption of same models used by developed countries for road construction in the 1960 by developing countries today.

“Our solution seeks to aid road performance through involvement in projects from ideation stage to avoid supply errors which may also lead to dramatic delays and penalties. A more efficient supply management win help to tackle classical scheme of multiple suppliers and loss of responsibilities while value is created by reducing costs and risks”.

It could be recalled that the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, CMAN had canvassed the use of concrete in road pavements in view of its durability and cost-effectiveness.

Indeed, poor maintenance culture has often be adduced as the major reason for the collapse of Nigeria’s 195,400 kilometers of roads infrastructure.

Chairman of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria CMAN, Joseph Makoju, bemoaned the decay in the nation’s roads infrastructure and the absence of a viable rail system.

He observed that all road constructions in Nigeria have been done with asphalt or plain laterite for rural roads because cement was relatively scarce and expensive. But with the installed capacity of local cement companies increasing from 3,000 metric tonnes per annum in 2003 to 28mtpa, the country has moved from the previous position of the world’s leading importer of the product in 2006, to a position of self-sufficiency.

Noting that the lack of maintenance culture played a key role in the deterioration of Nigeria’s roads infrastructure, Makoju said it was imperative to look for an alternative surfacing material which when compared will asphalt, will require minimal maintenance.