Cynthia Ezegwu
The Federal Government has dismissed reports alleging the use of substandard materials in the ongoing reconstruction and expansion of the Ore–Ondo–Akure expressway, insisting that the project adheres strictly to international engineering standards.
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, stated this on Thursday during an on-site inspection of the project, following the circulation of a viral video that questioned the quality of materials used in the construction.
Represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Ondo State, Engr. Olajide Hussein, Umahi described the concerns raised as “unnecessary,” clarifying that the project’s design aligns with global best practices and approved specifications from the Federal Ministry of Works.
He explained that the variation in reinforcement between the main carriageway and the shoulders was deliberate, as both sections serve different structural functions.
“The main carriageway carries heavy, continuous traffic and is designed to withstand high flexural stresses from trailers, trucks, and buses. The outer shoulders, however, are used occasionally—for emergency stops or breakdowns—and therefore require lighter materials,” he said.
Umahi further noted that the use of A142 wire mesh on the shoulders conforms to standard practices both in Nigeria and internationally.
“It’s not peculiar to the Ore–Ondo–Akure Road; this is a globally accepted highway design standard,” he added.
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The Minister also clarified that the project is not a dualisation, as widely believed, but a single carriageway with added shoulders to enhance safety and traffic management.
Stretching 86.43 kilometres from Ore through Ondo to Akure, the road features a 7.3-metre-wide main lane and 2.75-metre shoulders on each side.
The Akure–Ondo–Ore highway is among the 13 road projects approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in July 2024 under special intervention funding.
Umahi had earlier stated that the ₦134 billion project, handled by CBC Nigeria Limited, would be executed with concrete pavement to ensure durability given the terrain and flooding challenges.