Road Failures: Anambra Govt Summons Contractors, Orders Urgent Repairs, Reaffirms 20-Year Guarantee

By Our Reporter

The Anambra State Government has summoned contractors handling road projects across the state to explain recurring cases of road failure and immediately repair defective sections, as the government moves to strengthen quality control and enforce compliance with approved engineering standards.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, gave the directive during a meeting with road contractors, expressing displeasure over videos circulating on social media showing damaged sections of roads constructed under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

Ezeobi described the situation as embarrassing to the state government, the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, and the engineering profession, stressing that contractors must take responsibility for the quality and durability of projects entrusted to them.

He questioned why some roads, particularly dualisation projects, were experiencing failures despite the government’s introduction of stone base construction and other engineering measures intended to improve road durability.

The commissioner explained that the meeting was convened to establish the causes of the failures, identify lapses in construction practices and determine the corrective measures required to prevent further deterioration.

Contractors to Audit All Roads Built Under Soludo

As part of immediate measures to address the situation, Ezeobi directed contractors to compile comprehensive inventories of all roads they had constructed since Governor Soludo assumed office.

He instructed them to inspect the roads, assess their current conditions and promptly repair any sections showing signs of defects or structural failure.

According to the commissioner, the exercise is necessary to ensure that road infrastructure delivers the quality, safety and durability expected by residents and motorists.

He emphasised that newly constructed and rehabilitated roads should provide smooth and safe driving experiences, rather than expose road users to avoidable defects.

Ezeobi also disclosed that he would submit an independent report to the governor on the situation and recommend stricter commitments from contractors to ensure that public infrastructure projects meet approved engineering standards.

He maintained that the government had fulfilled its financial obligations by paying certificates duly generated for completed work, insisting that contractors must reciprocate by delivering projects that provide value for public funds.

Poor Materials, Inadequate Compaction Under Scrutiny

The commissioner identified poor-quality asphalt, inadequate compaction, insufficient moisture control and the use of untested construction materials as possible causes of road failures.

He directed contractors to ensure that all construction materials undergo the necessary laboratory tests and receive appropriate certification before being used on project sites.

He further stressed that prescribed tests must be conducted along the entire length of each project, warning against reliance on isolated assessments that may fail to provide an accurate picture of construction quality.

Ezeobi emphasised the need for strict adherence to established engineering procedures, including proper layer-by-layer compaction and compliance with the ministry’s approval processes.

He also directed contractors to formally notify the ministry whenever they are ready to carry out compaction, allowing officials to conduct the necessary inspections and quality-control checks.

The commissioner insisted that no contractor should proceed with using construction materials before the relevant test results have been obtained and approved by the appropriate authorities.

Failed Drainages to Be Removed and Reconstructed

Ezeobi also expressed concern over reported failures involving some drainage structures, warning that defective infrastructure would not be tolerated.

He highlighted the need for independent supervision and accountability in drainage construction, particularly where contractors engage their own engineer representatives to handle subcontracted drainage works.

According to him, such arrangements raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the effectiveness of project supervision.

The commissioner warned that any drainage structure confirmed to have failed would be removed and reconstructed to meet the required engineering standards.

He noted that properly constructed drainage systems and effective supervision are essential to road durability, particularly in preventing water-related damage.

Anambra Reaffirms 20-Year Road Guarantee

The commissioner recalled the state government’s commitment to providing a 20-year guarantee on its roads, stressing that contractors must ensure their projects meet the required standards.

He directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to formally communicate with contractors, requesting detailed lists of roads constructed under the Soludo administration.

The contractors are expected to inspect the roads and urgently address any identified defects as part of the government’s efforts to protect public investments and improve infrastructure quality.

Ezeobi reaffirmed that the administration would not compromise construction standards and urged contractors to work closely with the ministry to ensure that all projects meet approved specifications.

He added that every contractor must accept responsibility for the integrity and durability of the roads delivered under their supervision.

741 Kilometres of Roads Asphalted Across Anambra

Providing an update on the state’s road infrastructure programme, Ezeobi disclosed that approximately 741 kilometres of roads had been asphalted across Anambra State under the current administration.

He noted that many of the roads remained in good condition, explaining that the meeting was specifically convened to address identified cases of failure and prevent similar occurrences on other projects.

The commissioner urged contractors to uphold professionalism, comply with approved engineering specifications and prioritise quality at every stage of construction.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening quality control, improving supervision and ensuring that road projects across the state meet the expectations of the government and the people.

The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Dr. Martin Agbili, alongside other ministry officials.

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