Dangote reveals comparative advantages of concrete road over asphalt coated
The handling firm for the emerging reconstructed Apapa-Wharf Road, AG-Dangote Construction Company has given more insights on the merits of switching over to rigid pavement for road construction than asphalts, saying it is more affordable, durable, safer and stronger.
Speaking at this year’s Engineering Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in Abuja with the theme: ‘The Nigerian Built Industry: Building a Sustainable Structure with Allied Professionals,’ Dangote Group’s Executive Director Stakeholders Management and Corporate Communications, Mr. Ahmed Mansur said the maximum life cycle of flexible pavements known as Asphalt road is about 20 years whereas the life cycle of a rigid pavement or concrete road is 40 years or more.
Represented by Engr. Tunde Jimoh, he said “The pavement type chosen depends on a number of factors which includes: Expected traffic wheel loads, load repetitions, cost of construction, maintenance”.
According to him, just like what is happening now at Apapa-Wharf, “the AG Dangote is currently constructing the longest concrete road in the country located in Kogi State. The Obajana-Kabba road which is a 43km concrete road project due to be commissioned in December”.
Besides, “the 24km Itori-Ibese concrete road has since been delivered in Ogun State and road users have been giving accolades to Dangote Group for the innovative road.
He used the occasion to disclose that his company is set to deliver the dual carriage Apapa Wharf Road in Lagos this month, saying “This vision of the development of Concrete roads in Africa is being shared by more Leaders and Governments. The implementation of concrete roads can revolutionize infrastructural development in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.”
Continuing, the Project Manager of AG Dangote Construction Company stressed that unlike asphalted roads which come with high cost of maintenance as high as seven times to concrete; every raw material for concrete road repairs can be locally sourced.
