The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has set an October deadline for the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation to finish the collapsed New Artisan Bridge on the Enugu-Portharcourt Expressway.
This announcement was made in a statement by Uche Anichukwu, the Senior Special Assistant on External Relations to Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, and was shared with the media on Monday.
Anichukwu reported that the minister issued this directive during an inspection of key Federal Government projects in the state alongside the governor. “I have visited this site more than ten times since the bridge collapsed. The governor met with the President, who ordered immediate action on the bridge. This work is being carried out by CCECC, and I must commend them for their high-quality work and efficiency. This is the pace that the Enugu governor expects, and he is very pleased with it,” Umahi stated.
He further mentioned, “I am giving them until October 2024 to complete this project.” The statement also noted that due to limited funding, the Federal Government will permit the Enugu State Government to finish the remaining section of the 61km road, starting from Naira Triangle, under the Federal Government’s Highway Development Management Initiative, which will operate as a Public-Private Partnership.
Additionally, the minister praised Governor Mbah for his administration’s strategic efforts and collaboration with President Bola Tinubu’s government to enhance infrastructure development in the state. Umahi reiterated his commitment to completing the remaining sections of the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressways, as well as the dualization of the Enugu-Abakaliki Road. Mbah also expressed appreciation for the Federal Government’s dedication to improving road infrastructure in the South-East.
