The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is laying a foundation for a new generation of highways designed to last between 50 and 100 years, marking a sharp departure from Nigeria’s long history of poorly constructed and short-lived roads.
Umahi spoke during an inspection of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway (Section I), where he said the ministry had adopted a new approach that prioritises durability, innovation and cost-effectiveness over the traditional “cut-and-fill” method blamed for frequent road failures.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, on Wednesday, the minister said the new design standards combine recycling, milling and concrete reinforcement to build highways capable of withstanding decades of heavy traffic and harsh weather.
“We are building roads that will stand the test of time, roads that will last between 50 and 100 years, save public funds, and promote economic growth,” Umahi declared.