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.”

This was contained in a release signed by Ngozi Ngene, the Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Enugu State.

“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.”