By Mike Eyibio
The new Artisan Bridge located at km 0+800 Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway between new artisan flyover/NNPC mega station in Enugu State collapsed and the FG represented by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has swiftly visited the site of the collapsed artisan bridge a day after the information of it’s collapse reached the Ministry.
The affected bridge was said to have been constructed in the late 1970’s and it’s collapse took place on Wednesday 27th September.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press, Mrs. Blessing Adam-Lere, she said, the failed Bridge is located on a subsisting project (REHABILITATION OF ENUGU-PORT-HARCOURT EXPRESSWAY SECTION III: ENUGU-LOKPANTA IN ENUGU STATE with No.6251) and the project is still ongoing.
According to her, a team of engineers were deployed to the affected bridge location so as to collate relevant data, and investigate possible cause of the collapse and come up with solution to restore the failed Bridge.
She said: “It has been recommended by the engineers on site that the entire collapsed span be demolished, redesigned and re-constructed to avert future occurrences and loss of lives.”
The Minister however visited the site to access the extent of damage and to also proffer immediate solution to quickly assuage the suffering of both motorist and commuters plying the bridge.
Umahi, said he had to immediately visit because he knew the collapsed bridge has been of critical use to the socio-economic growth of the entire South-east region, particularly those commuters within and outside the Enugu State environ.
Earlier, the Governor of Enugu state, Mr. Peter Mba, expressed sincere appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the immediate response to access the collapsed bridge situation with the visit of the Minister who has also assured the Governor that government is doing everything humanly possible to reconstruct the bridge with better quality local content materials.
Umahi, confirmed that the concrete technology that is being introduced has been tested and can stand the test of time of long period of usage and longevity of up to 50 years with no maintenance when built.
According to him, concrete technology is being advocated for use for Nigerian roads and bridges with such already pioneer construction both in the Apapa- Oshodi road, the Lekki-Ajah free trade Zone area in Lagos state.
He said experience has proved that concrete technology used in Ebonyi and recently in Cross River state by the Governor, Sen (Prince) Bassey Otu are the right way to go in Nigeria.
