To attract investments in the construction sector, aid local content and improve capacity utilisation in the cement-manufacturing sector, major cement producers have tasked the Federal Government to formulate policies to encourage concrete pavement design.
The cement manufacturers, mainly Lafarge Africa Plc and Dangote Cement Plc, noted that adopting new solutions for road construction could save the nation at least $1 billion yearly on failed road projects. Road Project Manager, UNICEM, Calabar, Aibangbee Mark, explained that road construction in the country should be driven by truck analysis, road usage as well as sustainability profile.
He added that with cement becoming readily available as production capacities of manufacturers increase; adopting concrete pavements remains a viable alternative. Speaking at the commissioning of a 26-km Itori-Ibese concrete road constructed by Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) in Ogun State, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote noted that one of the major infrastructural challenges that Nigeria faces today is lack of good quality roads, as most of the nation’s highways are in a deplorable condition due to lack of maintenance.
Making a case for use concrete in road construction, Dangote said: “The Nigerian cement industry as our contribution to finding a cost-effective and lasting solution to this problem, has been advocating the construction of concrete roads as a more viable alternative to asphalt roads.”
