TheCable

Wolfgang Goetsch, managing director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, says his company will introduce an innovative measure in the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kano expressway.

Goetsch said this on Tuesday at the flagging-off ceremony for the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway project.

He said Julius Berger had introduced a “cold recycling” methodology – value-driven solution – that has never been used in Nigeria.

“The efficient and environmentally friendly solution results in complete rehabilitation by way of recycling the milled-off pavement to produce a bitumen stabilized material, which is then utilized for paving the base course layer of the road,” the MD said.

“The novel technological solution ensures that the new road will have an increased load-bearing capacity, compared to the previous pavement constructed with granular base course, leading to an extended lifespan.

“The methodology is environmentally friendly and helps to conserve natural resources, considering the reduced need for new material to be mined and the recycling and reuse of damaged asphalt as opposed to milling and dumping.”

He said by using this method, there would be less construction traffic compared to conventional methods.

Goetsch said the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway is not an ordinary road, but a high priority infrastructure of national significance.

“This forms a critical part of one of Nigeria’s most important highways, the A2, which is a main artery within the country’s transportation grid, enabling the movement of people and products from the North to the South and vice versa; uniting the Nigerian people, promoting commerceand boosting the economy,” he said.

“The Abuja-Kano dual carriageway is also a key connection to the trans-African highway, linking Nigeria to the larger continent of Africa, further driving opportunity for trade and strengthening the country’s economic footing.”

He thanked Babatunde Fashola, minister of works, power and housing, for his “for his tireless commitment” to driving forward the infrastructure agenda of Nigeria.

The MD added that his company would implement the highest standards of health, safety and environmental protocols in order to minimise any disturbances arising from construction.

Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano; Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, were among the dignitaries present at the event.