The Enugu State Government has firmly debunked a viral social media post alleging that the access road to Coal City Extension, Eastern Alliance Estate, was constructed by “pouring coal tar on red soil,” describing the claim as misleading and technically inaccurate.
In a public notice issued by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, the government clarified that the project in question is not being executed by the Ministry as alleged, but rather by the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation. The Ministry, however, took the opportunity to educate the public on the professional standards and engineering processes involved in road construction.
According to the statement signed by Ngozi Ngene, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, road construction follows a series of well-defined layers designed to provide both foundation and surface strength. “The choice of material for these layers is determined by engineering design requirements and all materials must be properly selected, treated, compacted, and laboratory tested before use,” the release explained.
The Ministry further stressed that lateritic soil, which is abundant in the region, is a recognised engineering material in pavement design. When correctly stabilised and compacted, laterite provides the required strength and durability, with decades of proven performance in Nigeria and other parts of the world. “Laterite is not mere ‘red soil,’ but a standard material used globally in professional road construction,” the Ministry emphasised.
Below is the full text of the press release as issued by the Enugu State Government:
PUBLIC NOTICE
The attention of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Enugu State, has been drawn to a social media post alleging that the access road to Coal City Extension, Eastern Alliance Estate, was constructed by “pouring coal tar on red soil.”
For the avoidance of doubt, the road in question is not being executed by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure as alleged, but is a project being undertaken by the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation.
It is, however, important to state that road construction is carried out in well defined layers that provide both foundation and surface strength. The choice of material for these layers is determined by engineering design requirements and all materials must be properly selected, treated, compacted, and laboratory tested before use.
Lateritic soil, which is abundant in this region, is a recognised engineering material in pavement design. When correctly stabilised and compacted, it provides the required strength and durability. It has been successfully applied in many roads in Nigeria and across the world that have remained in service for decades.
The Ministry therefore emphasises that laterite is not mere “red soil,” but a standard material used globally in professional road construction.
Signed
Ngozi Ngene
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Works and Infrastructure
Enugu State
The Enugu State Government reiterated its commitment to upholding global engineering standards in all ongoing and future infrastructure projects, assuring residents that quality, durability, and safety remain top priorities in the state’s development agenda.
