The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has refuted claims that substandard materials were being used for the ongoing reconstruction and expansion of the Akure-Ondo-Ore Expressway, insisting that the project meets both national and international engineering standards.
This clarification follows a viral video on Facebook alleging that the contractor handling the project used different construction materials for portions of the same road. In the video, a complainant accused the company of using wire mesh on the outer shoulders instead of the heavy reinforcement applied to the main carriageway.
Reacting to the allegations on Thursday, Umahi, represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Ondo State, Engr. Hussein Olajide, explained that the design difference between the main carriageway and the outer shoulders was deliberate and based on functional and structural requirements.
“The main carriageway carries continuous, heavy traffic loads and requires strong reinforcement to withstand flexural stresses,” Olajide said. “However, the outer shoulder is designed for occasional use—such as emergency stops or vehicle breakdowns—and does not experience continuous axle loads, hence the use of lighter reinforcement like A142 wire mesh.”
Flanked by the project contractor, Mr. Li Wei, the minister further noted that the use of A142 wire mesh on road shoulders is standard engineering practice both in Nigeria and internationally.
“This is not peculiar to the Ore–Ondo–Akure road; it is a globally recognized highway design standard used on single-carriageway rigid roads across the country,” Umahi stated.
He described the viral claims as misleading and unsubstantiated, assuring the public that the Federal Ministry of Works remains committed to delivering durable and high-quality roads nationwide.
It would be recalled that The Stewardship News had earlier reported concerns from residents and commuters who suspected the use of substandard materials on the project, a claim now clarified by the minister’s latest statement.
