Why Anambra Roads Are Developing Potholes – Commissioner Explains Underground Water Challenge

By Chibuzo Obidike | IchieTimes

The Anambra State Government has attributed some of the road failures reported across the state to underground water pressure, saturated soil and unusually heavy rainfall, rather than necessarily to poor construction materials.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, gave the explanation while addressing concerns over damaged road sections, particularly along flood-prone corridors.

He identified the Nwagu Agulu to Nnewi stretch and the descent from Amawbia Roundabout towards the police station as areas affected by underground water movement.

According to him, heavy rainfall has saturated the soil, allowing underground water to find its way towards road foundations and weaken the pavement structure.

Ezeobi said the roads were designed using 50-year historical hydrological data, but the rainfall conditions experienced this year presented challenges beyond the historical parameters used in the design.

He explained that the government was adopting a deeper engineering intervention in affected areas rather than relying on surface patching.

The proposed process involves removing failed asphalt, excavating affected sections, allowing trapped underground water to escape, installing filter beds and applying cement-stone base stabilisation before relaying the asphalt.

The Commissioner maintained that the intervention was intended to address the underlying cause of the failures and improve the durability of the affected roads.

He also acknowledged that construction errors could occur, saying contractors would be expected to return to site and rectify defects.