Expert calls for eco-friendly asphalt roads, local materials, and bitumen refining to cut costs.
Nigerian transportation engineering expert Professor Moses Ogundipe has urged the government and stakeholders to prioritize durable and eco-friendly asphalt roads. Speaking at the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin-Ekiti, the academic highlighted the urgent need to protect the environment while stimulating economic growth.
During the maiden inaugural lecture titled Paving the way to sustainability, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor outlined strategies to reduce road construction costs and improve infrastructure delivery. According to the expert, adopting innovative construction methods will prevent the frequent failure of national road networks, according to information published by punchng.
The comprehensive address emphasized the integration of local resources, rigorous research, and strategic policy changes across the public and private sectors. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, Nigeria can build safer and more cost-effective transportation infrastructure for the future.
Soil stabilization with agricultural waste
Professor Ogundipe identified stable soil as a crucial foundation for any durable road pavement. To achieve this in difficult terrain, builders can utilize locally sourced sustainable materials such as groundnut husk, coconut shell, palm kernel shell, snail shell, and bamboo leaf ashes combined with hydraulic binders like cement and lime.
Utilizing these agricultural and domestic by-products prevents indiscriminate waste disposal while generating revenue. According to the civil engineering professor, these measures ensure the construction of safe roads, protect the environment, and improve the local economy through sustainable resource management.
Recycling industrial waste in asphalt mixtures
Asphalt concrete performance is heavily dependent on temperature, loading, and time. To address temperature susceptibility, the expert advised that asphalt mixtures must be modified with sustainable materials, including glass waste, polyethylene terephthalate, hospital waste, steel slag, crumb rubber, ceramic tiles, and lime.
Incorporating these materials ensures a cleaner and safer environment by reducing the volume of waste requiring disposal. Furthermore, this approach promotes economic development through job creation and smarter resource utilization within the civil engineering sector.
Refining Nigeria natural bitumen resources
Nigeria holds an estimated 42 billion barrels of natural bitumen deposits that remain largely unexplored. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor urged the Federal Government to prioritize the domestic exploration and refining of these vast resources to serve as the main binder in asphalt concrete.
Domestic production will ensure a cheaper and more reliable supply, reducing dependence on external sources. This strategic shift will generate significant multiplier effects on construction costs, revenue generation, employment opportunities, and overall economic growth across the country.
Policy reforms and research funding
To avoid widespread infrastructure failure, the government must review stone mastic asphalt specifications for roads and bridges. Integrating Life Cycle Costing and Life Cycle Assessment into public procurement will reward contractors who adopt sustainable local materials and green technologies.
Professor Ogundipe also called for increased research funding, stronger collaboration between universities and industries, and the establishment of a national pavement test track. FUTES-IYIN Vice-Chancellor Professor Gbenga Aribisala praised the lecture as an insightful contribution to sustainable national development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Professor Moses Ogundipe?
Professor Moses Ogundipe is a professor of Civil Engineering and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti.
How can agricultural waste improve Nigerian road construction?
Materials like groundnut husks, coconut shells, and bamboo leaf ashes can be combined with hydraulic binders to stabilize weak soil foundations for asphalt roads.
What are Nigeria natural bitumen reserves estimated at?
Nigeria possesses an estimated 42 billion barrels of natural bitumen deposits that remain largely unexplored and could support domestic asphalt production.
What waste materials can be added to asphalt mixtures?
Asphalt mixtures can be modified using glass waste, polyethylene terephthalate, hospital waste, steel slag, crumb rubber, ceramic tiles, and lime.
