Works Minister, Umahi Orders Immediate Palliative Repairs On Second Niger Bridge Connecting Road
By Chibuzo Obidike
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has directed the immediate commencement of palliative repairs on failed sections of the road connecting the Second Niger Bridge, to ease the hardship being experienced by motorists while the main construction works on the corridor continue.
Umahi gave the directive during an inspection of the ongoing Obosi-Ogbunike-Ogidi Interchange Road, which connects to the Second Niger Bridge, where he also urged contractors handling the project to speed up construction and ensure that the road remains passable throughout the construction period.
The Minister directed the contractor, SKCC, to temporarily suspend further asphalt and concrete works on the affected sections and first undertake comprehensive measurements of all failed portions.
He ordered that the affected areas be milled out and treated with a 60 millimetre binder course as a temporary measure to improve the condition of the road.
Umahi stressed that the intervention was not the final fixing of the road, but a palliative measure designed to keep the corridor motorable and reduce the hardship faced by motorists pending completion of the major connecting road.
He also directed the contractor to commence desilting of existing drainage channels and construct additional drains within the project scope.
The Minister further directed that night operations be considered to minimise disruption to traffic and called for the involvement of the Federal Road Safety Corps and local traffic managers to ensure the safety of motorists and workers.
He also assured the contractor that certified outstanding payments would be addressed.
Umahi reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving critical infrastructure across the South East and appealed to the people of the region to recognise the interventions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly in improving road connectivity and creating an environment conducive to investment and economic development.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, described the intervention as a demonstration of renewed hope, saying improved connectivity through the Second Niger Bridge and the Onitsha and Asaba bypasses would ease movement and strengthen economic activities across the South East.
Ezeobi said the Anambra State Government was finalising arrangements to provide an additional five kilometres of right of way for the project, expressing confidence that the expanded corridor would provide sufficient space for the contractor to accelerate construction.
The Acting Comptroller of Works, Anambra State, Engr. Timothy Emenike, commended the Minister for his swift response to infrastructure challenges in the state, particularly the recent intervention at the vandalised section of the First Niger Bridge and the washout around the Second Niger Bridge.
He assured that ministry officials would ensure strict compliance with the Minister’s directives, quality execution and public safety, while appealing for increased funding to enable contractors to accelerate work and deliver the connecting roads to the Second Niger Bridge.
