Top engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria on Tuesday wowed engineers and other participants at the just ended 33rd Engineering Conference of the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) in Abuja.
This is as both institutions demonstrated a unique cooperative partnership between industry (Julius Berger) and science (ABU Zaria) on an innovative sustainable construction method with environmental and economic benefits known as Bitumen Stabilised Method (BSM).
In a presentation at the conference, Julius Berger’s Region Central and North (RCN) Project Coordinator, Engr Amodu Ismaila, explained that the novel construction technology, also known as Cold Recycling Technology, is the application of one of its innovative models to fix roads under rehabilitaion in the country. He said that Cold Recycling Technology is one sustainable innovation that has helped Julius Berger in prosecuting its road construction projects across Nigeria.
Amidst applauses from participating engineers, Ismaila drew inferences from Julius Berger’s Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project where the technology was applied, saying Cold Recycling Technology has been helpful in easing the company’s road construction works.
He said the technology is an asphalt pavement rehabilitation method that reuses existing materials without the application of heat, resulting in benefits such as lower cost, lesser environmental impacts, and reduced construction time compared to non–recycling-focused rehabilitation options.
On why this technology is recommended, Ismaila pointed at numerous benefits for all-around value, including shorter construction time that conserves resources and ensures cost efficiencies. It also improves road safety, extends the lifespan of roads and increases the road’s capacity, he said, adding that some of the major industry-related awards won by Julius Berger in the last few years were because of the application of the technology in fixing Nigerian roads.
At the event which also featured exhibition by engineering firms and related organisations, participants besieged Julius Berger’s stand wanting to know more about the technology and its multi-applications in the road construction industry.
In a related development, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi, disclosed that no fewer than 420 federal roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects have either been completed or significantly advanced within the last two years.
In a goodwill message delivered by his representative, Ashley Emenike, at the opening ceremony of the conference, Mpigi hailed engineers as indispensable drivers of Nigeria’s development, noting that their work forms the backbone of the country’s economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and industrial advancement.
He further declared that Nigerian engineers are not merely technical experts, but strategic nation builders who deserve a central role in policy making.
“As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, I must reaffirm that engineering remains a cornerstone of national development,” Mpigi said. “Based on implementation reports and oversight missions by my committee, we estimate that over 420 federal roads, bridges, and projects have either been completed or advanced significantly within this administration.”
The conference, themed “Advancing Quality Engineering Services and Businesses in Nigeria: Professionalism, Compliance and Remunerations”, is an annual event which draws attendance from engineering professionals from across the country to deliberate on engineering ethics, infrastructure standards, and national development.
Apart from Ismaila, other prominent Julius Berger engineers that participated at the COREN 2025 Conference include the Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch; Executive Project Director, Civil, Engr. Benjamin Bott; Engrs Elisabeth Hauser, Fatima Kosemani, Adegbenga Osunlana, Sena Daramola, Rasheedat Anifowoshe, Amina Dottie, Osazee Iyenoma, Yusuf Ibrahim, Adedayo Kehinde, Kehinde Bakare, among others.
