Lawmakers demand urgent reconstruction of collapsed artisan bridge in Enugu

Representatives have requested that the Ministry of Works immediately begin rebuilding the New Artisan, Enugu-Port Harcourt expressways bridge that recently collapsed.

After a proposal put up by Nnolim Nnaji and supported by Chimaobi Atu, Stainless Nwodo, Mark Obetta, Chijioke Okereke, Sunday Umeha, Paul Nnamchi, Iduma Igariwey, Obi Aguocha, Peter Aniekwe, and Ugonna Ozurigbo was adopted in plenary on Tuesday, the House passed its resolution.

The Green Chamber also pushed for the federal government to invest in safe, long-lasting infrastructure throughout the Southeast, such as roads and bridges, by conducting thorough risk assessments and putting their conclusions into practice.

To ensure that the resolutions to fix the collapsed bridge and other South Eastern routes are implemented, the House has tasked the House Committee on Works with monitoring and coordinating with the federal Ministry of Works.

Nnaji, who made the motion, recalled that on September 5, 2023, a bridge over the Enugu part of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Federal Expressway collapsed as a vehicle carrying products from Nigerian Breweries and an unnamed lorry were crossing it.

He emphasized that nobody was hurt because first responders acted swiftly to prevent any cars from driving off the bridge into the lake below.

The lawmaker said that the bridge’s location along the Enugu federal expressway was crucial because it served as a connection to other parts of the South-South region, including Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Cross River State, and Akwa Ibom State. The bridge was of great economic value to Nigeria.

As Nnaji pointed out, the logistics and transportation of products and services, as well as business-economic growth in Enugu State and across several other states, will be negatively impacted if this bridge is not promptly restored, causing tremendous losses and suffering for passengers.