Dangote completes Nigeria’s longest concrete road

The Dangote Group has completed Nigeria’s longest rigid pavement located in Kogi State.

It is the first of its kind, top engineers say, in a statement from the company on Sunday.

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The 43km Obajana-Kabba road constructed by Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), is described by motorists as the country’s most strategic highway that is aiding travellers between the North and the South.

A statement from the Corporate Communications Department of the group said: “Concrete roads last longer than asphalt roads and do not have potholes. They do not require frequent maintenance as asphalt roads do. They save fuel for motorists and protect tyres from wear and tear.”

Olatunbosun Kalejaiye, the Project Director, said the rigid pavement of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project has been completed while the shoulders are being dressed.

The Site Engineer, Samuel Obosi assured that the dual carriageway will be durable and less susceptible to potholes and repairs like asphalt roads which will also crash the rate of road accidents.

Some motorists said it is now one of the busiest roads. “Thank God it is a concrete road. It can withstand any heavy duty vehicle,” Alhaji Lamidi Sikiru, a driver said.

John Moses, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, said his taxi business is booming compared to when the road was in a bad state and barely used.

Spokesman of Apa Bunu Kingdom, Sam Omosayil, commended Dangote Group, saying the road has attracted a lot of businesses along it.

The Bajana of Obajana Land, King Idowu Senibi, described the project as gigantic and the first of its kind anywhere in Nigeria.

Speaking, the traditional head of Akpata Land, Frederick Durojaiye Balogun, said his people are very proud of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, adding that the Dangote Cement, Obajana plant, which is the single largest cement plant in the world, has brought honour and respect to their kingdoms.

King of Okebunku Land in Kabba Bunu Local Government, Timothy Omonile, commended Dangote and charged other philanthropists to emulate him.

President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, had said plans are afoot to revolutionise Nigerian roads with concrete to cut spending on repairs.

“We are going to be building concrete roads in the country so that anytime we build a road, we do not have to go back to repair after the third raining season, but move on and use the resources to address other pressing needs of Nigeria,” he assured.

The Group had commissioned the 26km Itori-Ibese concrete road as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project.