Abia deploys cement technology in road
construction
Sun News
08th December, 2015
By Godwin Adindu
IT is no more news that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia
State is constructing four roads in Aba with cement
technology or what experts call, rigid pavement technology.
What is news, perhaps, is that he is setting a pace as far as
this technology is concerned in Nigeria be- cause, apart
from the airport tarmacs and factory platforms where big
engines and machines are installed, cement technology is
not yet a common experience in Nigeria, especially in road
construction. Again, when you consider the realism of the
economic state of most states in Nigeria including Abia,
you will agree that Ikpeazu is making a miracle with this
high cost intensive project at this time.
Yet, he is going ahead confidently and unrelentingly. He has
taken the bull by the horns and launched the experiment on
four roads – ENUC Road, Umuola Road, Owerri Road and
Ejefu Road. He has already recorded a feat with the
completion of the ENUC Road, off Udeag- bala. For him,
there is no alternative to quality and again, it is a matter of
priority. His priority to give Abians quality, durable and
sustainable roads that would stand the test of time.
Thus, he is excited that he is pioneering with cement
technology in Nigeria and giving Abias a legacy of quality
and standard. In a recent chat, he gave explanation as to
how the technology is constructed. He said the construction
engineers use a mixture of crush rock-based materials and
other items to achieve a thickness fill and compaction to
the level of 300mm and then cast with concrete
reinforcement with 8mm to 10mm high tensil ( mash of
wires) reinforcement bars over the stabilized base course
before treatment with prime coat and asphaltic concrete.
The governor disclosed that though the cost of this
technology is higher than the conventional construction
methods, he has chosen to experiment on it as a measure
to strengthen the load bearing capacity of some roads in
Abia and boost the strength and quality of the finished
work, adding that roads constructed with this technology
has a sustainability guarantee of ten to twenty years.
The Governor further stated that the cement technology will
address the challenges raised by the soil examination
conducted on the three roads, noting that the process
involves soil stabilization which is a process of introducing
materials that have properties which the routine construction
materials or naturally occurring materials lack to further
strengthen pavement and improve the load bearing capacity
of the roads. While disclosing that the cement technology is
used in the construction of airport run-ways, tarmac and
places that carry high load bearing capacity machines and
equipments, the Governor said it is a good solution for
achieving sustainable roads in Nigeria, as it is better and of
a higher value than the conventional method of using only
asphalt.
Indeed, this vision of Ikpeazu is instructive because Aba
people had been witnesses to roads that wear out after the
first rain. After the dance and the ju- bilation, the rains will
come to put a lie to their joy. It has been a recurring circle.
But, today, Governor Ikpeazu is set to change the narrative
and says the tech- nology is more durable and more
sustain- able and will be extended to other roads in Abia in
the days ahead.
The governor is working hard to achieve this change of
narrative. Last Thursday, he inspected the roads under
construction in Aba, and expressed satisfaction over the
quality of work so far done on the roads, especially the
drain- age network attached to the roads and assured that
quality will not be compromised. He disclosed that his
government is committed to delivering quality roads to the
people and that the cement technology adopted by the
government in road construction in the state is aimed at
making the roads last longer. He also warned that
contractors who are not flowing with the new vision in the
area of performance will be shown the way out. He also
expressed optimism that twenty out of the forty-five roads
that the government was working on currently will be
completed within the dry season.
Will he pull down illegal structures that are standing on
service lanes? The governor said the demolition exercise
must continue. He said he will not hesitate to knock down
any illegal structure that obstructs the construction work
going on in Aba. He promised to give attention to St
Michaels’ Hospital and Jubilee roads in Aba which are in
dire need of rehabilitation, adding that the Umule road which
he described as strategic will soon be completed. Among
the roads inspected by the governor include Umuola,
Ehere,St Michaels,Jubillee,Umule and Umuocham Roads,
and others. He was conducted round by the Commissioner
for Works, Eziuche Ubani.
Aba is indisputably, the economic nerve centre of the South-
East and “Japan” of Africa. But, in recent years, the city
witnessed a massive retrogression in development. Thus,
all the parties in the last political campaign centred their
message in rebuilding the city. All the parties offered their
blueprint for a total overhauling of infrastructure. But,
Ikpeazu’s programme encompasses a total repositioning
and this involves both infrastructural renewal, trade and
investment rebranding and capacity building.
This broad approach of Governor Ikpeazu has given birth to
many tactical actions directed towards developing the latent
ingenuity and creativity for which Aba is celebrated. It has
led to a renewed attention to the artisans of Aba and a
review of the future of the fabled Aba Made Goods. It has
led to a general sanitation of the city including the open
markets. There is a new masterplan of road network that
will be unveiled in the days ahead. Aba will witness new
things, including overhead bridges and new boulevards.
Today, the success of Ikpeazu’s experiment with cement
technology goes to confirm two things: his determination to
rewrite the bad story of Aba and reinforce the truth in the
paradox, “Where there is a will, there is always a way”

•Adindu is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

more photo

They should learn how road construction is been done in Lagos. Mainly on the brt lane from ikorodu through to onipanu.

Cement for road construction? Dangote must be Dancing bobo right now.

Also, i think using cement is not going to make a very strong road. As time goes on, there would be cracks when trucks start using the road.

Asphalt is the best, the problem is the thickness. Where they suppose to use like 4cm thick, they use 2cm. That alone will not make it last.

Sall:
They should learn how road construction is been done in Lagos. Mainly on the brt lane from ikorodu through to onipanu.

they are starting from inner roads, and streets first

Due to their soggy, water soaked soil, Aba and Port harcourt are cities where cement roads need to be revolutionized so that the roads are durable and last longer.

jaymejate:
Cement for road construction? Dangote must be Dancing bobo right now.

Also, i think using cement is not going to make a very strong road. As time goes on, there would be cracks when trucks start using the road.

Asphalt is the best, the problem is the thickness. Where they suppose to use like 4cm thick, they use 2cm. That alone will not make it last.

What do you know about road construction?
Did you read the post carefully before spewing out this trash.
Your type of persons answer questions before reading the question paper.

jaymejate:
Cement for road construction? Dangote must be Dancing bobo right now.

Also, i think using cement is not going to make a very strong road. As time goes on, there would be cracks when trucks start using the road.

Asphalt is the best, the problem is the thickness. Where they suppose to use like 4cm thick, they use 2cm. That alone will not make it last.

go and research on rigid pavement technology

Gov Ikpeazu should plz open up osisioma Villages with roads to de congest Aba main city, especially Umuode, umuojima, umuidiah, mbutu okohia, eke akpara axis, depo, and aro ngwa junction axis, if posible locate one big market inside umuenyiukwu autonomus community and link it with a. Good road. Am happy that Abia poly now have a new site in osisioma axis. Those that are close to gov Ikpazu should tell him.

jaymejate:
Cement for road construction? Dangote must be Dancing bobo right now.

Also, i think using cement is not going to make a very strong road. As time goes on, there would be cracks when trucks start using the road.

Asphalt is the best, the problem is the thickness. Where they suppose to use like 4cm thick, they use 2cm. That alone will not make it last.

asphalt is not the best, concrete (not cement), is the best.

the OP screaming cement technology is just bringing out his own word...there's nothing like cement technology. Everything u use as the rigid base is called a pavement. this is just a concrete based pavement, just like we have asphalt based and bitumen based.

and this ain't new, go to OKENE in kogi state as see it dated as far back as 10 yrs ago.

also, a part of the Apapa tin can road under fashola was a reinforced concrete based.

the current part of the ewekoro road in from if lafarge cement factory is also being constructed as a concrete based.

how is this a new tech to u?

jaymejate:
Cement for road construction? Dangote must be Dancing bobo right now.

Also, i think using cement is not going to make a very strong road. As time goes on, there would be cracks when trucks start using the road.

Asphalt is the best, the problem is the thickness. Where they suppose to use like 4cm thick, they use 2cm. That alone will not make it last.

First and foremost, how did you come to the conclusion that it is Dangote's cement that is being used?

Secondly, how many concrete/cement roads have you seen that made you come to the conclusion that it will develop cracks with usage?

Thirdly, how did you come to the conclusion that asphalt is best for road construction?
How did you make the comparison between asphalt and other road construction materials to determine which is best?
Are you a Materials and Metallurgical engineer or a Civil Engineer?

Why do you make senseless statements on Social Media?

nobilis:


First and foremost, how did you come to the conclusion that it is Dangote's cement that is being used?

Secondly, how many concrete/cement roads have you seen that made you come to the conclusion that it will develop cracks with usage?

Thirdly, how did you come to the conclusion that asphalt is best for road construction?
How did you make the comparison between asphalt and other road construction materials to determine which is best?
Are you a Materials and Metallurgical engineer or a Civil Engineer?

Why do you make senseless statements on Social Media?

Why do you have to put that?

jaymejate:
Cement for road construction? Dangote must be Dancing bobo right now.

Also, i think using cement is not going to make a very strong road. As time goes on, there would be cracks when trucks start using the road.

Asphalt is the best, the problem is the thickness. Where they suppose to use like 4cm thick, they use 2cm. That alone will not make it last.

concrete/cement technology is the best

jaymejate:


Why do you have to put that?

Oh. Sorry