BY BETI ONU AWKA
A disturbing warning has been issued by a former House of Representatives member and Labour Party Senatorial aspirant, Hon. Chief Chuma Nzeribe, regarding the precarious state of the old Niger Bridge.
In a statement released, yesterday, Nzeribe revealed that the bridge has begun vibrating again, sparking fears of an imminent collapse.
During his recent journey across the bridge to Asaba over the New Year holidays, Nzeribe said he observed the renewed vibration of the bridge, which he described as “very scary.”
He identified a troublesome point where the expansion valves were giving way in the mid-section of the bridge, labeling it a “very dangerous development.”
Nzeribe emphasized the bridge’s strategic importance as a federal government-owned legacy asset, serving as a critical gateway to the South-East, South-South and North- Central zones of Nigeria.
He stressed that while the Anambra State Government (ANSG) is not responsible for repairing the damaged sections or reviewing the underwater substructures, it is imperative for the state government to seek immediate intervention from the Federal Ministry of Works to prevent a catastrophic outcome.
Drawing from his experience as Chairman of the Committee on Works in the House of Representatives, Nzeribe recalled his efforts in bringing SETRACO to conduct intermediation on the old Niger Bridge, which saved the South-East from being cut off from the rest of the country. The repair work involved underwater diving to survey the bridge’s substructures, revealing that steel stantions had given way due to underwater erosion, causing the expansion valves to fail.
Nzeribe expressed concern that the problem has resurfaced, potentially requiring further tests to determine the cause. He noted that the initial repair cost of N2.3 billion would likely be much higher today, possibly exceeding the scope of the Anambra State Government
Nzeribe warned that further substantial damage could be done if the Federal Ministry of Works does not act promptly.
