Residents Raise Alarm Over Quality of Concrete Drainage Pipes for Benin-Agbor Road rehabilitation IKHUENIRO, Edo — Concerned residents of Ikhueniro Community in Uhunmwode local government area of Edo State have expressed worries over the quality of large concrete pipes intended for drainage construction as part of the ongoing intervention work along the Benin-Agbor Road. The residents raised concerns about the structural integrity of the pipes after observing what they described as questionable construction materials, including the apparent absence of steel wire mesh in one of the damaged pipes. According to the residents, the steel reinforcement is expected to strengthen concrete drainage pipes and improve their ability to withstand cracking and structural loads. A close examination of one of the damaged pipes reportedly revealed no visible steel wire mesh, raising questions among residents about the quality of materials being used for the drainage component of the road rehabilitation project. The concerns emerged after one of the pipes accidentally fell from a crane while being unloaded from a truck, exposing its internal structure and prompting residents to question its durability. Speaking to @dailysouthngr on Thursday, a resident who expressed disappointment over the incident said the community had not realised what they described as the questionable quality of the pipes until the accident occurred. “The pipe is not solid. It just means they are not going to do a good job on the road. Imagine the kind of materials they use in producing the pipes; just waste,” the resident, identified as Esohe, lamented. President @officialABAT had earlier ordered an emergency intervention on the approximately 125-kilometre stretch from Ring Road in Benin City to Asaba on the River Niger. Drainage infrastructure plays a critical role in protecting roads against flooding, erosion and premature deterioration, as poorly manufactured or improperly installed drainage pipes can compromise the effectiveness of drainage systems and potentially increase maintenance costs. However, findings showed that concrete drainage pipes may be manufactured with or without steel reinforcement, depending on their design specifications, intended use and structural requirements. Consequently, determining whether the pipes meet the required standards would require a technical assessment of their specifications, concrete composition, structural strength and suitability for the intended drainage works. The residents are concerned that the quality of materials used in the project could affect the long-term durability of the drainage system and have called attention to the need for proper scrutiny of construction materials used on public infrastructure. As of the time of filing this report, DAILY South Nigeria had not independently established the specifications of the pipes, whether steel reinforcement was required in their design, or whether the damaged pipe had undergone any technical assessment.