House of Representatives members, on Wednesday, visited the collapsed Artisan bridge along Enugu/PortHatcourt Express road, New Artisan, Enugu axis, to assess the level of destruction,with a call on the federal government to fix the road and declare state of emergency on South east roads which are in bad condition
Member representing Nkanu East and Nkanu West Federal Constituency and Chairman,House Committee on Port and Harbour , Nnolim Nnaji, made the call when he led a delegation of House of Representatives members from Enugu state, including, Chairman House Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation, Hon Obi Aguocha ,representing Ikwuato/ Umuahia North/South Federal constituency, Abia state
He said that most infrastructure in the south east zone, had started collapsing and would need the intervention of the federal government.
The lawmaker also lamented the hardship the collapsed bridge had caused road users in the zone plying that route since the collapse of the bridge on Monday, saying it’s only the urgent intervention by the federal government in collaboration with the state government that could remedy the ugly 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.
“We have looked at the development and have seen the extent of the damage. I spoke to the Chairman, House Committee on Works, and I also spoke to the Chairman of Senate Committee on Works about the development, and I am also aware that the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, spoke to the Minister of Works and also escalated this situation to the presidency.
“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 because it is affecting the businesses, development and many other projects in Enugu especially this time that the state government is coming up with a lot of programmes that will enhance the development of Enugu State and its business environment.
“We are appealing to the Federal Government to intervene. This road is very important to the people of South East, it’s a gateway to Abuja, built in 1970s. It is important to look at all the roads built long ago.
We are appealing to the people of Enugu State, the neighbours of the state and everybody who is using this road to exercise patience. I can assure you that the government of Enugu State and indeed the federal government will come up with a lasting solution to this problem,” he said.
The lawmaker said they will report to the House when they reconvene next Tuesday, October 3, 2023. ” It is going to come up as National Urgent Public Importance It’s of urgent concern. We are going to escalate it to the House of Representatives and House of Senate,” Nnaji said.
On his part, Chairman ,House Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation,Hon. Obi Aguocha, said he came to see and assess the level of damages the collapse bridge had caused and report to the House for urgent attention.
Hon.Nnaji was accompanied by Hon Chimaobi Atu, member, representing Enugu North/South Federal Constituency, Hon Stainless Nwodo, representing Igbo-Etiti/Uzo Uwani Federal Constituency, and Hon. Obi Aguocha, representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South.
