The Federal Government has completed preparations to undertake palliative works on the standing bridge on one lane of the Enugu Port Harcourt dual carriageway in preparation for the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge at New Artisan.
Within 10 days, it said the bridge would be operational.
Barr Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu State, and Engr. Dave Umahi, minister of works, announced this on Wednesday during a pre-reconstruction site inspection.
Governor Mbah, in an interview with reporters, praised the Minister and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their quick action to help those affected by the collapsed bridge.
Let me begin by expressing my appreciation to Mr. President and the Honorable Minister of Works for their prompt and thorough attention to the situation at hand.
My pleasure is to notify you that the Minister has returned to inform us that work will begin here on Friday. “As you know, the Minister was also here with us the last time we came here to inspect and to identify areas of quick action.
Therefore, the current lane will be repaired, and our people will hopefully be able to use one of the lanes within the next 10 days. Full bridge repairs on both lanes would then begin “around the middle of next month,” he said.
When questioned by reporters, the Minister of Works praised Mbah as an effective leader who had kept his mind on the task at hand and exerted the necessary amount of pressure to have the problem resolved without delay.
Let me praise the governor of Enugu State, a very industrious man, and congratulate him on his accomplishment despite the many diversions he has faced, despite his refusal to get sidetracked. ” – Umahi.
Therefore, we must follow him because of his power and dedication to the people he is leading. It is good leadership, and we have promised him that this week, we are going to undertake palliative work on this existing or standing bridge. Thanks to the generosity of our nation’s chief executive, we will also begin repairing the destroyed bridge.
“Also, kindly, Mr. President has released some money that we may utilize to begin reconstructing these two bridges and the other bridge by the Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC) dock at Emene, in addition to a flyover by that location, under the 2023 Supplementary Appropriations Act.
“I know the governor is really eager to create the federal road, being the Enugu-Abakaliki Road. He is now ready to begin work in earnest after finishing the design. But while he’s doing that, we’ll be conducting the complementary flyover at the depot (Eke Emene). So, yes, it’s a collaboration, and a good one at that.
He praised the governor for prioritizing public service over political politics and remaining focused despite pressure from the state’s opposition.
I’ve been getting a lot of pressure from him to make sure the promised job gets started, so here I am. It exemplifies the dedication of the state’s leadership to the citizens of Enugu and of Nigeria as a whole. So, the strength of the chain depends on the weakest link in it.
A political party is merely a means to an end, and we have all arrived at our destination, therefore I also want to congratulate the governor for not engaging in such activity. The time for talk is over; now is the time for action on behalf of the people. I am confident that in the next 10 days we will fortify the standing bridge on one lane and begin to utilize it, which is why Mr. President said we must come,” the Minister stated.
Mismob Media