Julius Berger, ABU collaboration on Bitumen Stabilised Method, excite engineers

Top engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and Ahmadu Bello University, ABU Tuesday in Abuja, wowed engineers and other participants at the just ended 33rd Engineering Conference of the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria, COREN.

The novel construction technology also known as Cold Recycling Technology is the  application of Bitumen Stabilised Method, BSM, one of its innovative models to fix roads under rehabilitaion in the country, according to Julius Berger’s Region Central and North, RCN Project Coordinator, Engr Dr. Amodu Ismaila, FNSE, FAEng who disclosed this in his presentation at the Assembly which held in Abuja, Tuesday. He added that Cold Recycling Technology is one sustainable innovation that has helped Julius Berger in prosecuting its road construction projects across Nigeria.

Amidst applaueses from participating endgineers, Ismaila drew inferences from the company’s Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project where the technology was applied, and unequivocably retorted that, Cold Recycling Technology is an innovation, which is very helpful in easing road construction works at Julius Berger.

According to Ismaila, the technology is an asphalt pavement rehabilitation method that reuse 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.

Simply put, it is an innovative sustainable construction method with environmental and economic benefits that has led Julius Berger into a unique cooperative partnership between Industry (Julius Berger) and Science (University Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria), he added.

On why this technology is recommended, Ismaila posited that, numerous benefits for all-around value abound. They include shorter construction time that conserve resources and ensure cost efficiencies are realised. It also improves road safety, extends the lifespan of roads and increases the road’s capacity, 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 beseiged 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, has dislosd that no fewer than420 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 33rd Engineering Assembly organised by COREN, 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,” he said, adding, “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. The just concluded one is the 33rd in the series.

Apart from Ismaila, other prominent Julius Berger engineers that participated at the COREN 2025 Conference include but not limited to: 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, and Kehinde Bakare, among several others.