The Joint Committee on Works, Environment, Finance, Justice, and Science & Technology of the House of Representatives convened a one-day public hearing on the implementation of concrete technology for road construction in Nigeria. On Thursday, the event was inaugurated by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who expressed concern about the deplorable state of roads nationwide.
Representing the Speaker, Chief Whip Bello Kumo underscored the significance of road construction within the Federal Government’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’ Abbas urged all stakeholders present to openly discuss issues, assuring legislative intervention to address the identified challenges.
Akin Alabi, the Chair of the Joint Committee, voiced dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of value for money from government-contracted road builders. He pledged the 10th Assembly’s commitment to bringing about positive change in this regard, emphasizing transparency and fairness in their mandate.
Alabi clarified that the public hearing’s primary objectives were not to witch-hunt, but rather to deliver high-quality road networks to Nigerians. Saidu Hassan, Chair of the Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers, advised parliamentary scrutiny of the policy to ensure strict adherence to engineering procedures.
Stressing the need for adequate time for equipment importation and manpower training, the agency highlighted the practical challenges associated with adopting concrete roads. Emeka Ezeh, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Nigeria Society of Engineers, emphasized Parliament’s role in legislating rather than deciding on road construction models.
Adedamola Kuti, the representative of the Ministry of Works, suggested reconsidering the use of concrete in light of economic challenges resulting from exchange rate fluctuations. Among the stakeholders present at the hearing were the Federal Ministries of Works, Environment, and Finance, the Nigeria Society of Engineers, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).