FG To Rebuild The Bridge That Collapsed On The Enugu/Port Harcourt highway

David Umahi 

Sen. Dave Umahi, Minister of Works, announced that the collapsed Enugu/Port Harcourt expressway would be immediately rebuilt by the Federal Government.

As part of his official tour to the state, Umahi made this statement while visiting the site of the collapsed bridge with Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.

He added that while it was terrible, the government will offer alternate paths for the people in the meantime, and that the reconstruction of the bridge would put an end to the hardship of commuters using the road.

According to him, "We are going to look at the second bridge and see how far the remedial work will be done on it. We are going to scale up the reconstruction of the two bridges alongside with the road construction.

"I want to assure you that I have directed the contractor to do everything possible to provide an alternative road.

"We are going to work on the second bridge to ascertain the integrity of the bridge and see if we can use it while we demolish the collapsed one and start the reconstruction.

"I believe the contractor is hearing us and the process will start immediately. I want to have a memo which I will send to Mr President."

He expressed gratitude for the Enugu Government's initiative in dualizing the Enugu to Abakaliki town route and assured them of his assistance.

The report and images of the demolished bridge that were supplied to the minister matched what he was seeing, the minister continued.

He added that the bridge was built in 1968 and said that the collapse happened because the pipes were exposed.

"We have gotten your letter on that and I will be sending my men to come and evaluate it. I can assure you that within the next seven days, you must hear from us; we are doing the drains and will give you our standard and bills of quantities.

"It is difficult for me to assure any governor that wants a refund, I cannot say, because we came into office and inherited an economy that has more than 90 per cent of its income being used to service debts," he added.

FRSC, the Federal Road Safety Corps, has issued a warning to drivers

After the flyover bridge collapsed, it diverted traffic along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Expressway.

This was said in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja by Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Relations Officer (CPEO).

Kazeem said the collapsed bridge was at the new Artisan Market on the Port Harcourt-Enugu dual carriageway in Enugu State.

He claimed that the bridge, which allegedly fell on September 25 around 12:30 p.m., had a negative impact on traffic along that route.

He claims that it is advisable for drivers traveling from Port Harcourt/Aba to Abakiliki to pass through Bricks at the brand-new Kenyatta Market (Army Check Point)-Okpara Square.

"This will lead them to New Haven junction by Otigba Roundabout, through Ogui Roundabout-Abakpa junction (82 Division) and proceed to Abakiliki.

"On the other hand, motorists from Abuja/Abakiliki going to Aba/Port harcourt are advised to take Abakpa Junction (82 Division)-New Haven junction by Otigba Roundabout.

"This would be through Ogui Roundabout to Okpara Square and proceed to Enugu/Port harcourt dual carriageway, new Kenyatta Market (Army Check Point) and continue to Aba/PH," he said.

According to Kazeem, the caution became necessary to protect drivers from unnecessary bottlenecks.

He cited FRSC Corps Marshal Dauda Biu as warning drivers of all types of vehicles utilizing that route to follow the aforementioned other roads and obey all traffic laws and regulations to ensure their safety.