The Federal Government has announced that it will immediately begin to rebuild the collapsed Enugu/Port Harcourt expressway.

During his official visit to the state, the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, along with Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, conducted an on-site evaluation of the collapsed bridge.

Senator Umahi stated that the reconstruction of the bridge would alleviate the challenges faced by commuters using that route. He expressed regret over the unfortunate collapse of the bridge and assured that, in the interim, the government would arrange an alternative route for the affected population.

“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 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 said.

Furthermore, the governor revealed that the report and photos of the collapsed bridge that were sent to him matched what he was seeing on the ground.

He explained that the collapse was caused by exposed pipes, noting that the bridge was built in 1968. The governor assured the Enugu government of his support and thanked them for their initiative to dualize the Enugu-Abakaliki town road.

“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 7 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 percent of its income being used to service debts.

Mbah commended Umahi and the federal government for their quick response to the bridge collapse, noting that it demonstrated the president’s commitment to his campaign promises.

“He is committed to lead with compassion and run an inclusive government, and that is what we are seeing here today,” he said.

He stated that he contacted the federal government immediately after the incident, and within 48 hours, the minister arrived in the state to inspect the bridge and discuss how to repair at least one section of the road to allow traffic to flow.

“This is a major gateway road so we cried out to the FG for expeditious action,” he said.