A civil engineer, Mr. Aminu Musa, has advocated for the adoption of asphalt as a more suitable material for road construction amidst the continuous rise in cement prices in the country.
Musa, the Chairman of Allwell Engineering Construction Company, made the call in an interview with journalists on Tuesday in Lagos.
He emphasized that asphalt is a more feasible option for road construction compared to cement, which has witnessed a significant price surge recently.
Musa highlighted the potential consequences of using cement for road construction, including further price hikes due to increased demand, directly impacting the average citizen’s livelihood.
He explained that the current trajectory indicates a substantial increase in cement prices, and transitioning road surfaces to concrete cement would only exacerbate the domestic demand for cement, leading to even higher prices.
“Cement prices deeply affect the daily lives of ordinary people, making them more vulnerable to price fluctuations,” Musa stated.
In contrast, asphalt has historically been utilized in road construction and has less impact on citizens’ daily lives, resulting in minimal sensitivity to changes in asphalt prices.
Musa urged construction workers to consider using asphalt instead of cement for road surfaces to maintain a balance between demand and supply.
“With the recent surge in prices of goods nationwide, adopting asphalt over cement for road construction would alleviate pressure on the federal government,” he noted.
Musa cautioned against implementing cement concrete road surfaces during a period of inflation and public resistance to price hikes, as it could exacerbate social instability and pose challenges for the government.
He emphasized the importance of policy decisions that support economic stability and public welfare, rather than exacerbating existing difficulties.
