The Federal Government has ordered urgent repairs on the damaged Shagamu-Benin Bridge, assuring Nigerians that a permanent solution is underway.
In a statement released by Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, the ministry confirmed that engineers have already been dispatched to the site of the damage located at the Edo/Ondo State border.
Umahi explained that a puncture had appeared on one of the bridge spans, attributing the deterioration to age. Built in 1981, the dual-carriageway bridge has suffered wear and tear over the years.
“The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed immediate dispatch of a team of engineers to the location of the damaged bridge… The damage being noticed is age-related deterioration,” the statement read.
Repair works are expected to last 45 days, after which traffic will resume on the affected section once fresh concrete is fully set. Traffic will be diverted to one side of the bridge during the rehabilitation.
The Minister assured road users that advanced deck reconstruction methods would be deployed to ensure a long-lasting fix. He also apologized for the inconvenience caused and praised the citizen who first raised alarm over the damage.
Umahi further noted that President Bola Tinubu is giving priority attention to the rehabilitation of more than 30 bridges nationwide this year as part of his Renewed Hope agenda to modernize Nigeria’s transport network.
“This project forms part of the larger Renewed Hope legacy projects aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s transport infrastructure and driving sustainable economic prosperity,” the ministry added.