Lawmakers demand urgent reconstruction of collapsed artisan bridge in Enugu

The House of Representatives has urged the Ministry of Works to urgently reconstruct the collapsed bridge at New Artisan, Enugu-Port Harcourt expressways.

The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary on Tuesday by Nnolim Nnaji and co-sponsored by Chimaobi Atu, Stainless Nwodo, Mark Obetta, Chijioke Okereke, Sunday Umeha, Paul Nnamchi, Iduma Igariwey, Obi Aguocha, Peter Aniekwe and Ugonna Ozurigbo.

The Green Chamber also urged the federal government to ensure that adequate funds are provided for durable roads and bridges with optimum facilities across the Southeast, taking proactive measures to ensure maximum safety of lives through quality risk assessment and implementation of safety findings.

The House further mandated the House Committee on Works to monitor and liaise with the federal Ministry of Works to adhere to the resolutions to repair the collapsed bridge and other South Eastern roads.

Moving the motion, Nnaji recalled that on Monday 5th of September, 2023, the bridge along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Federal Expressway at the New Artisan Market in the Enugu section of the road, collapsed when a truck conveying Nigerian Breweries products and an unidentified lorry were on the bridge.

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He stressed that there was no loss of life during the incident as emergency responders quickly swung into action to ensure that no unwary vehicle plunged into the water underneath the bridge;

The lawmaker said considering the fact that the collapsed bridge which is of great economic value to Nigeria, was not only located along the Enugu federal expressway but was equally a connecting road to some parts of Imo State, Ebonyi State, then to Umuahia, Aba and some other South-South region like Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

Nnaji added that if this bridge is not urgently repaired, it would affect logistics and movement of goods and services and also business-economic growth in Enugu State and across some other states, leading to huge losses and sufferings of commuters.