The House of Representatives has called on the Ministry of Works to urgently intervene in the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge at New Artisan, Enugu-Port Harcourt expressways.
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 South East, as well as 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 in adhering spontaneously with the resolutions to repair the aforementioned collapsed bridge and other South Eastern roads.
The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary on Tuesday by Hon. Nnolim Nnaji and co-sponsored by Hon. Chimaobi Atu, Hon. Stainless Nwodo, Hon. Mark Obetta, Hon. Chijioke Okereke, Hon. Barr. Sunday Umeha, Hon. Paul Nnamchi, Hon. Iduma Igariwey, Hon. Obi Aguocha, Hon. Peter Aniekwe and Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo.
Moving the motion, Nnaji recalled that on Monday 5th of September, 2023, that 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.
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;
Nnaji noted that the collapse of bridge could be caused by overloaded or heavy duty transport vehicles operating daily on the road as well as lack of periodic infrastructural maintenance of the bridges.
He lamented that the incidence and prevalence of this occurrence in the country have been alarming over the years.
The lawmaker added that it has become imperative to examine the phenomenon of highway disasters with a view to underscoring its implications on national security in Nigeria, which constitutes a veritable threat to road safety as well as human security.
Nnaji expressed worry that the collapsed bridge left commuters seriously stranded for a long time, while traffic was diverted within the area where the bridge collapsed to avoid terrific traffic jam and chaos in the State.
The lawmaker said considering the fact that the collapsed bridge which is of great economic value to Nigeria, was not only located along 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;
The House resolved: “ Urge the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works, to urgently intervene in the reconstruction of this collapsed bridge at New Artisan, Enugu-Port Harcourt expressways, ORL Seely the Aba-Port harcourt section of same road due to its commercial importance to the nation p and provide lasting solution to this road deteriorating menace in South East.”