The Federal Government has dismissed recent media reports and viral social media content questioning the quality of materials used in the ongoing reconstruction and expansion of the Ore–Ondo–Akure Expressway, asserting that the project conforms to international engineering standards.
A viral video had surfaced online alleging the use of substandard materials and raised concerns about inconsistencies in the road’s structural design.
However, during an on-site inspection on Thursday, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Ondo State, Engr. Olajide Hussein, said the claims were unfounded and based on a misunderstanding of road construction principles.
Structural Differences Clarified
Addressing one of the key concerns — the use of lighter wire mesh on the outer shoulders — Hussein explained that there is a functional and structural distinction between the main carriageway and the shoulders of the road.
“There is a functional difference between the main carriageway and the outer shoulder,” Hussein said.
“The main carriageway is designed for continuous, heavy traffic — trailers, trucks, buses — and therefore experiences high flexural stresses. It requires heavy reinforcement to withstand these loads.
“The outer shoulders, however, are meant for occasional use, such as emergency stops, breakdowns, or diversions. They are designed with minimal reinforcement, which is standard practice globally.”
He further clarified that the use of A142 wire mesh on the outer shoulders is consistent with national and international engineering standards and not specific to the Ore–Ondo–Akure road project.
Project Not a Dual Carriageway
Contrary to public perception, the minister also clarified that the project is not a dual carriageway but a single carriageway with added shoulders for improved traffic flow and safety.
The road spans 86.43 kilometres, stretching from Ore through Ondo to Akure, and features a 7.3-metre-wide main lane with 2.75-metre-wide shoulders on each side.
