Enugu, Nigeria – The collapse of a vital bridge along the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway has sparked concerns and calls for immediate government intervention. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, the representative of Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on infrastructure in the South East zone in response to the deteriorating state of roads and bridges in the region.
The collapsed bridge, located at the New Artisan Enugu section of the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway, has caused significant hardships for the people and travellers in the state since its collapse earlier this week. Hon. Nnolim, accompanied by other federal lawmakers from the state, visited the site on Wednesday to assess the extent of the damage and convey the urgency of the situation.
“We are here as members of the Enugu State Caucus of the House of Representatives. We are here to inspect the collapsed bridge that links Enugu to Port Harcourt. The Enugu section of the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway is what has broken down,” Hon. Nnolim Nnaji explained. He further highlighted that the collapsed infrastructure not only affects the people’s daily lives but also hampers the state’s aggressive infrastructural development initiatives.
While commending the efforts of the state governor in advancing infrastructure projects, Hon. Nnolim expressed deep regret over the bridge’s severe damage. He emphasized the need for immediate federal government intervention to ensure that businesses, development projects, and the state’s economy are not further impeded.
“We are concerned about this development, especially considering the aggressive infrastructural development being carried out by the governor of Enugu State. So, we are going to escalate this issue beyond what you think at the floor of the House and to the Federal Government to come to our aid and reconstruct this bridge,” Hon. Nnolim Nnaji asserted.
He also called for patience among road users and assured them that every effort would be made to expedite the bridge’s repair. Additionally, he urged the government to view this incident as an opportunity to conduct structural and integrity tests on other bridges and roads in the region and the country as a whole to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Accompanying Hon. Nnolim Nnaji to the site were other federal lawmakers, including Hon. Chimaobi Atu, Hon. Stainless Nwodo, and Hon. Obi Aguocha, all representing various constituencies in the state. The collapsed bridge has prompted urgent calls for improved infrastructure maintenance and investment in the South East zone, highlighting the importance of addressing deteriorating infrastructure across Nigeria.
While it’s commendable that Hon. Nnolim Nnaji is drawing attention to the infrastructural challenges in the South East, it’s essential that our representatives in the national assembly do more than just voice their concerns. Instead of singing praises for themselves, they should actively push for concrete solutions and actions. The people of the South East have been dealing with deteriorating infrastructure for too long, and they deserve more than appeals and promises. It’s time for our lawmakers to work diligently to secure the necessary funding, resources, and policies to address these issues and ensure lasting improvements in our region. Lip service won’t fix our roads or bridges; it’s time for action.
