Machine that makes potholes vanish in three minutes

Is this the best cure for potholes? A company has introduced an innovative paving technology, which takes a maximum of three minutes to fix one pothole.

Avery East Africa (AEA), in partnership with UK-based Velocity Road Emergency Repair and Maintenance Company, has already filled potholes on key roads within Mombasa using the technology known as velocity road patching.

''A powerful hose that can spray a mixture of cold bitumen and fine ballast into a pothole, sealing damaged roads in a few minutes is mounted on a special truck,'' explained AEA Managing Director Nicholus Kithinji in an interview with The Standard.

AEA are the sole distributors in East and Central Africa and are targeting to have their first major contract signed by end of next year.

Kenya is the second nation in Africa to adopt this road repair technology after South Africa.

"This kind of technology, that has been tested and proven, makes the job easy and allows traffic to flow easily after a short while. It is also cost effective,'' he said.

Developed Economies

Mombasa County Executive in Charge of Transport Tawfiq Balala witnessed how the technology works after several potholes were sealed along Greenwood Drive in Nyali.

"The technology has had massive success in the road infrastructure industry, especially in developed economies. In addition, AEA has partnered with the National Youth Service to tap into the pool of skilled labour for the equipment operations," Mr Kithinji added.

At the same time, Kithinji said that they are keen to tap into private roads like those manned by residents associations and big manufacturing companies that have their own roads.

Kenyan roads are prone to developing potholes due to poor design and construction and weather-related damage.

During rainy seasons, potholes grow wide and deep, causing accidents and leaving motorists with huge repair bills.

The national and county governments are spending billions of shillings every year on road repairs.

A lot of time is usually wasted sealing the potholes.