Business
‘PMS, Priority For Nigerian Roads’
An expert in building and maintenance of roads, Engineer Benibo Basoene Joshua, says the adoption of Pavement Management System (PMS) in roads maintenance is what Nigeria needs to have durable roads.
Joshua, who stated this recently during the 2nd Rivers-Bayelsa Chapter of the Highway and Transportation Engineers Conference and Annual General Meeting (HTECAGM) of the Nigeria Institute of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE) in Port Harcourt, noted that the PMS approach was the best for Nigerian roads, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
In a paper titled, “Popular Participation in Promoting Pavement and Asset Management”, Joshua explained, however, that PMS was “a planning tool used to aid pavement management decisions”.
He said the system was preferred globally because “it Gives enhanced decision-making and management of the network assets, using multi-year performance, financial and economic analysis”.
According to him, “The information available to the system is extended and the resultant prediction models further refined and adjusted to reflect actual record with continuous data gathering in each year.
“Using the data gathered from the surveys, the PMS incorporates software specifically designed to use it in analysis and prediction tools for current and future condition, and remaining life prediction.
“Furthermore, modules to assist in evaluating whole life cost analysis for maintenance and construction, deterioration models, assessment of value to the asset, risk-based analysis, and prioritisation according to strategies and available budgets.
“Importantly, the PMS translates condition data to information management”, he said.
The former chairman of several engineering bodies, including Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Port Harcourt Branch, stated further that road pavements in Nigeria, specifically the Niger Delta, do not have what it takes to fit into the PMS currently.
“The condition of our road pavements in the Niger Delta can hardly fit into the PMS model currently being used in advanced countries”, he said.
This, he explained, was because “Our roads lack a number of basic features required for application, and, more so, lack budgetary provision for effective maintenance funding as may be required”.
Beyond this, he stated that road pavements in the Niger Delta were neglected after construction with no road markings, and no minor improvement schemes.
To take care of this and other problems, Joshua, who was the “Distinguished Lecturer” at the occasion, proffered several solutions which should begin with required attention to roads.
“The network of roads in this country is a valuable asset. Therefore, we should give priority attention to maintenance before it deteriorates into poor state.
“Road pavements have a life span of 20 – 40 years, and we should adopt ‘clinical’ approach to prevent it from dying permanently”, he added.
Highlight of the AGM was the election of a new Executive, which saw the emergence of Engr Nwadike Jones as chairman, Engr Francis Oriakhi as vice chairman, and Engr Nwankwo Felix as general secretary.
Others are: Engr Uduak Asukuo (assistant general secretary), Engr Keka Timothy (financial secretary), Engr Onome Unuavwodo (treasurer), Engr. Oguzie Moses (technical secretary), Engr Uduak Anwankwo (assistant technical secretary), Engr Uzoigwe Paul (PRO), Engr Ezenekwe Obadiah (ex-officio), and Engr Emem Abasiattai (ex-officio).
Soibi Max-Alalibo
“Payment of tuition fees for undergraduate/postgraduate studies shall be subject to a maximum limit of $25,000.00 per semester,” the Manual states.
The expansion of international card limits also reflects growing confidence among lenders that foreign exchange liquidity has improved enough to support retail dollar transactions.
Speaking recently at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, CBN Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN said buying and selling activities now increasingly determine outcomes in the foreign exchange market, unlike in the past when market participants relied heavily on routine Central Bank interventions.
According to Cardoso, Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen from just over $3 billion at the start of the reform programme to more than $40 billion, while gross reserves have climbed to about $52 billion, providing stronger confidence for investors and enabling the Central Bank to reserve interventions for periods of market stress rather than day-to-day liquidity management.
The restoration and expansion of international naira card spending limits are increasingly being seen as one of the clearest signs that the benefits of the CBN’s foreign exchange reforms are beginning to reach households, students and businesses making legitimate cross-border payments.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, WEC, Dr Angela Wilkinson, disclosed this in a statement, last Thursday.
“Nigeria’s participation comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
“WEC Nigeria will convene leaders from across the energy ecosystem, apply the WEC’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to Nigeria’s unique context, and promote evidence-based dialogue, practical collaboration and informed policymaking.
“It will also ensure that Nigerian and broader African perspectives contribute meaningfully to global energy conversations,” she said.
Wilkinson expressed confidence that Nigeria would play a significant leadership role at the World Energy Congress scheduled for Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Isa, as describing the country’s participation as an opportunity to deepen national and African leadership within the global energy community through practical solutions tailored to regional development priorities.
He said the platform would promote collaboration across sectors and attract sustainable investments into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of WEC Nigeria, Wunti, was quoted in the statement as saying that the council would connect leadership, evidence and investment to build a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
“This system will be capable of driving economic growth and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the platform will also connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technology, partnerships and investment opportunities through the World Energy Council’s global network.
Recall that WEC, founded in 1923, is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, advancing informed, collaborative and practical action across the global energy system.