The Enugu State Government has announced plans to reopen one lane of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway bridge by December 24. Gerald Otiji, the State Commissioner for Works, revealed this update after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Enugu.
Governor Peter Mbah had previously announced on November 9 that the Federal Government would initiate the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge. The reconstruction efforts will commence by focusing on the remaining lane of the bridge, starting with necessary temporary repairs to ensure its usability within the next 10 days.
Otiji informed reporters that the reconstruction of the Artisan Cattle Market Bridge is a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Works and the Enugu State Ministry of Works.
“With this, we can direct all the trucks to ply the road instead of coming into the state capital.
“We are also having a traffic management team that will help to control traffic in the state,” he said.
On water supply, the Commissioner urged Enugu people to be patient with the government, pledging that it would do everything possible to ensure that water returned to their taps.
Otiji blamed the stoppage in water reticulation on damage and burst pipes and apologized for every inconvenience it has caused residents.
He explained that the pipes being excavated were the ones laid by Dr Michael Okpara, the Premier of the South-East region about 50 years ago.
