The Guardian Online News and Independent Online News, Nigeria, Africa, reported that as the Africa’s Federal Government explores innovative options for infrastructure financing, cement manufacturers have advocated a cultural shift in the way roads are being constructed—part of measures to ensure cost management and sustainability of projects being executed. According to operators in the industry, embracing a cultural shift in road design and construction will aid local content development and improve capacity utilization in the cement-manufacturing sector.
Considering the pressure on the roads, Femi Yusuf, Head-Road Segment, Lafarge Africa Plc, is advocating the need—and the solution—for concrete road projects in the country. And given Nigeria’s climatic condition of high-level seasonal rainfall, which often results in rapid wear and tear of asphalt roads, concrete solution was suggested as a better option. Experts, according to the cement company, have attested to the use of concrete, which they said lasts longer than other road surfaces. Yusuf stated that concrete remains the most cost-effective road material on the basis of both initial and life-cycle costs.
Although there are concerns that that many investors are shying away from investing in major equipment needed to drive the adoption of concrete pavements, Yusuf said the involvement of more stakeholders and government support will aid the cultural shift. Cement manufacturers had noted that adopting new solutions for road constructions can save the nation at least over $1 billion yearly on failed road projects. Yusuf explained that road construction in the country should be driven by:
- History of the road being constructed
- Truck analysis
- Road usage
- Sustainability profile
He added that with cement becoming readily available as production capacities of manufacturers increase, adopting concrete pavements remains a viable alternative, depending on the road design. “A concrete road lasts for 30 years or more compared to an asphalt road that lasts an average of 15 years before it begins to fail. The life-cycle cost of concrete pavement is lower than asphalt with a ratio of about 6:7,” he said. According to him, the country already has the product, methodology and the manpower to construct more of concrete roads. Yusuf said Lafarge Africa is working on partnering the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, and financial institutions.
In a presentation in Lagos, Nigeria, to justify the claim of concrete to asphalt roads, Mr. Yusuff, dismissed the fear of displacing those in asphalt business, considering the volume of construction projects in the country, said concrete is becoming the norm in the industry. In a comparison with asphalt roads, Yusuff said: “A concrete pavement structure typically consists of a concrete surface and subbase(s) placed upon a prepared subgrade. A “base” is part of an asphalt pavement structure, while a subbase is an optional element of a concrete pavement structure.”
Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, noted that if research and innovations on how to make Nigerian roads durable and long lasting are being carried out by the private sector, the federal government needs to up its game to develop programs and policies that will enable those solutions to translate into positive development.
Michel Puchercos, Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa Plc, said as it stands today, road infrastructure in Nigeria cannot adequately support and propel the Nigerian economy in the right direction. He stated that the road network in Nigeria was the largest in West Africa, and cannot meet the demand of the people, hence the need to strategize on the sustainable way to meet the demand. In regard to Nigerian road construction, he stressed that concerns have been expressed about the quality of roads, maintenance culture, and the design and innovative construction solutions. To further compound the situation, the federal government’s dwindling revenues at the state and federal levels mean Nigeria must get creative in addressing road infrastructure challenges. According to Puchercos, the burden of road construction was too much for the government alone to shoulder, adding that his company was willing to partner the government on infrastructure provision, as the company has capability to handle road projects with its concrete solution to road construction. “It is the time for a more aggressive public-private sector approach to road construction in Nigeria. We strongly believe in the need to bring the entire ecosystem together to discuss this all-important issue,” he said.
The use of concrete for road construction projects, though still new in Nigeria, is already gaining momentum in other climes. According to a research, about 50 countries both in the developed developing world have adopted the concrete solution to road construction. They include Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Domican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kingdom of Bahrain, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Peru, Ploand, Portugal and Puerto Rico. The list also includes Russia, South Africa, South Koream Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, United Kingdom, and United States of America.
For the entire Guardian Online News article titled “Lafarge advocates cultural shift in concrete solutions for road construction”, please go to: https://guardian.ng/business-services/industry/lafarge-advocates-cultural-shift-in-concrete-solutions-for-road-construction/
For the Independent Online News article titled, “Lafarge Urges Concrete Solution For Road Projects”, please go to: http://independent.ng/lafarge-urges-concrete-solution-road-projects/
For an additional 2016 article in World Highways online news titled, “Nigeria has built a major road link from concrete”, please go to: http://www.worldhighways.com/sections/emergent/features/nigeria-has-built-a-major-road-link-from-concrete/.
Home photo: Lafarge-Nigeria