Umahi Orders Immediate Palliative Repairs on Second Niger Bridge Access Road

The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has directed the immediate commencement of palliative repairs on failed sections of the road linking the Obosi–Ogbunike–Ogidi corridor to the Second Niger Bridge in Anambra State, as part of measures to ease the hardship faced by motorists while major construction continues.

Umahi gave the directive during an inspection of the ongoing road project in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, where he ordered the contractor, SKCC, to accelerate construction and ensure that the corridor remains motorable throughout the project.

Recent reports also confirm that the minister inspected ongoing works on the access-road corridor and directed contractors to increase their pace of construction.

The minister directed the contractor to temporarily suspend further asphalt and concrete works on the failed sections and first measure the affected portions comprehensively.

He ordered that the damaged areas be milled out and treated with a 60-millimetre binder course as a temporary intervention.

Umahi stressed that the measure was palliative and not the final rehabilitation, saying its immediate purpose was to keep the road open to traffic and reduce the hardship experienced by motorists pending completion of the main project.

He also directed the desilting of existing drainage channels and construction of additional drains, while asking that night operations be considered to minimise disruption to traffic.

The minister further directed the involvement of the Federal Road Safety Corps and local traffic management authorities to protect motorists and construction workers, and assured the contractor that certified outstanding payments would be addressed.

He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving critical infrastructure in the South-East, saying better road connectivity would support investment and economic development.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, welcomed the intervention, describing improved connectivity through the Second Niger Bridge and the Onitsha and Asaba bypasses as a major boost to economic activities in the region.

He said the state government was finalising arrangements to provide an additional five kilometres of right of way to enable the contractor to expand the work front. Recent reports corroborate the planned additional five-kilometre workspace.

The Acting Controller of Works in Anambra State, Engr. Timothy Emenike, also commended Umahi’s intervention and assured that ministry officials would monitor compliance with the directives, quality of work and public safety.

He appealed for increased funding to enable contractors to accelerate the construction and deliver the access roads to the Second Niger Bridge.

The latest inspection also saw Umahi address urgent maintenance and security concerns around the First Niger Bridge, including vandalised structural components.

He directed immediate repairs and ordered the installation of solar-powered streetlights and CCTV cameras, with traffic expected to be diverted to the Second Niger Bridge during the planned rehabilitation.