Yesterday I made a post/enquiry on the usage of red mud as against sharp sand for the filling of Elele-Omoku road. From the responses I think we can conclusively say that red mud or laterite is the material being used by the Rivers State Government for the construction of that road.
I also saw a response from my friend Mr Ross Alabo-George . Using some construction method he put forward the opinion that as opposed to sharp sand, Laterite is the ideal or superior material for the filling of the Elele-Omoku road.
While I appreciate him taking out time to put forward his opinion I couldn’t disagree with him more.
If laterite is ideal as he said, it means:
The state has wasted time and enormous resources by moving away from laterite and using only sharp sand for the filling of all constructed roads.
That means there is a need for a return to the use of Laterite (a much cheaper material) for construction of Roads in Rivers State.
If that’s the case, Julius Berger has to review its policy of using only sharp sand as opposed to laterite for construction of roads in Rivers State.
That also means the Minister of works, Engr Dave Umahi who earlier this year ordered that laterite which had been used on the Eleme part of the East West be re-excavated and replaced with sharp sand must have been ill educated or ill informed on the superiority of laterite for filling.
It means that laterite should be the choice material for the Opobo Ring Road and not sharp sand as is being used.
If we are to agree to the suitability of laterite, Mr Ross should also advocate for the filling of the Trans Kalabari road with Laterite and not with sharp sand.
I will like to add here that the topography can’t be the reason behind this choice as the Ahoada-Omoku road in the same area which was started by the Wike administration is being constructed with sharp sand.
Overall it is difficult or almost impossible to logically get anyone to accept that the usage of laterite or red mud on the Elele-Omoku was done with the intention of best quality or that it’s a superior construction material for our roads.
We all know that for years no road in Rivers State has been constructed with laterite and we should aim only to improve the quality and durability of our roads.
In conclusion, I have been contacted by some concerned engineers from Omoku who are willing to have a robust discussion (they want a town hall meeting in Omoku but I have proposed a tweeter space) with any engineer or professional holding the position that laterite or red mud is the most appropriate material for their road.
Marshal Obuzor
