Reopening of Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway Bridge Lane Announced by Enugu State Government

The Enugu State Government has declared its intention to reopen one lane of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway bridge by December 24. The announcement was made by Gerald Otiji, the State Commissioner for Works, during a press briefing after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Enugu on Friday.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State had previously stated on November 9 that the Federal Government would initiate the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge. Otiji revealed that the reconstruction would kick off with palliative work on the standing lane of the bridge to ensure its usability within the next 10 days.

The Artisan Cattle Market Bridge reconstruction is a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Works and the Enugu State Ministry of Works. Otiji emphasized that directing trucks to ply this road instead of entering the state capital would be facilitated by this initiative.

“We are also establishing a traffic management team to effectively control traffic within the state,” Otiji added.

Addressing concerns about water supply, the Commissioner urged residents to exercise patience, assuring them that the government is committed to resolving the issues causing disruptions. He apologized for inconveniences caused by the stoppage in water reticulation, attributing it to damage and burst pipes. Otiji explained that the pipes being excavated were laid by Dr. Michael Okpara, the Premier of the South-East region, approximately 50 years ago.