BENUE BRIDGES UNDERGO REHABILITATION
44 YEARS AFTER CONSTRUCTION
Benue new Bridge under repairs
Denen Daniel/Usman Danlami
As rehabilitation intensify on the New Makurdi Bridge, road users have continued to lend their voices on this long awaited initiative by the Buhari led Federal Government. This move through the Federal Ministry of Works came at the height of mounted complaints which were rendered by the users of the bridge due to the deplorable and despicable state the bridge was pushed into as a result of the pressure exerted on it.
Mallam Sani, a tanker driver who revealed that he has plied the bridge for more than twenty years lauded the effort of the government in the ongoing rehabilitation of the bridge. “I am personally happy with what is ongoing on the bridge. The bridge was constructed long time ago and since then, this is the first time it is undergoing renovations. You will agree with me that from when it was constructed to date, the number of users have largely increased, therefore the need for renovation was long overdue.”
In a similar development, Terna Jerome, a transporter with Town Service Bus (TSB), expressed happiness with the ongoing renovations on the bridge, citing incessant cases of accidents due to the deplorable state of the bridge. “We thank God the government has finally come to rehabilitate the bridge. We have been crying for long that the government should renovate the bridge due to the number of avoidable accidents that occurredon the bridge. It became so bad. There were expansions on the bridge and dangerous potholes.”
According to a hawker, Hadiza (who crosses the bridge from south bank to north bank of the river to ply her trade), “those of us who were used to crossing the river by foot are the happiest. The project is the best to us. The slabs on the eastern wing of the bridge were completely removed and that made it scary while walking on it.”
When the reporter visited the site, work was on top gear as it was observed that the western wing of the bridge was cleared of the top layer asphalt; exposing the Expansion Joints for removal and replacement. The Site Manager, Eng. Princewill Ayila, expressed his company’s readiness to return the bridge soon in a better state to it users. “This company, A.G Vision Construction Limited is a reliable construction company. As soon as the company was mobilised, it started work. The stage we are on now has to do with drilling out the Expansion Joints after which they shall be removed and properly replaced. Already the topmost layer of the asphalt has been scrapped out. A new layer will be laid when work has finished on the expansion joints.”
Speaking further, Eng. Princewill revealed that specification include replacing the dilapidated slabs and handrail which marked the pedestrian lane and barrier against vehicles. It also includes replacing some sections of the road divider. “Our aim is to deliver a quality job in line with our company’s policy statement. We are handling this project as a clear testimony of pedigree. We are not going to leave any stone unturned as we drive towards returning the bridge to a good form. Aside the Expansion Joints, slabs and handrail, the contract captures the restoration of light on the bridge to aid clear vision at night while plying the bridge.”
It would be recalled that it was announced by The Federal Ministry of Work (FMW), that the western wing of the New Makurdi Bridge will be completely shutdown beginning from 14th January, 2020 to enable contractors work on that carriage of the bridge.
The Federal Government had awarded the contract for the repairs of the Makurdi Bridge in 2018 to AG Vision Construction at the cost of N4.6 billion. The contract which is expected to last for a period of 24 months is working relentlessly.
Makurdi town is home to two major bridges. The old bridge was constructed between 1928 and 1946. The new bridge was constructed in 1976 and is undergoing major repairs for the first time since it was constructed.
Similarly, the Katsina Ala Bridge is also receiving attention. The bridge links north east and South South regions of Nigeria. It was commissioned in 1976 in the Obasanjo era. The life span of the bridge was pegged at 40 years. It meant that by 2015 the bridge required rehabilitation. About 4 years after its lifespan, the tools are mobilized for rehabilitation.
Some road users including Mnyim Amos said the bridge is now
“motorable” due to the undergoing construction. To him, “If you drive through the bridge, you will observe that it is smooth even though the work is ongoing. The construction of the bridge has been on since 2019 and we believe it will be completed because of the commitment of the present.”
