Works minister David Umahi says the federal government will begin immediate reconstruction of the collapsed Enugu-Port Harcourt bridge.

Mr Umahi said this when he and Governor Peter Mbah visited the collapsed bridge for an on-the-spot assessment during his working visit to Enugu.

The works minister said the reconstruction of the bridge would end the plight of commuters plying the road, adding that the bridge’s collapse was unfortunate, and the government would, in the meantime, provide an alternative road for the people.

“We are going to look at the second bridge and see how far the remedial work will be done on it. We are going to scale up the reconstruction of the two bridges alongside the road construction. I want to assure you that I have directed the contractor to do everything possible to provide an alternative road.

“We are going to work on the second bridge to ascertain the integrity of the bridge and see if we can use it while we demolish the collapsed one and start the reconstruction. I believe the contractor is hearing us, and the process will start immediately. I want to have a memo which I will send to Mr President,” stated Mr Umahi.

The minister explained that the collapse occurred because the pipes were exposed, adding that the bridge was constructed in 1968. He assured the Enugu government of his support and thanked him for his initiative in dualising the Enugu to Abakaliki town road.

“We have gotten your letter on that, and I will be sending my men to come and evaluate it. I can assure you that within the next seven days, you must hear from us; we are doing the drains and will give you our standard and bills of quantities,” Mr Umahi told the Enugu governor.

He said it was “difficult for me to assure any governor that wants a refund. I cannot say because we came into office and inherited an economy that has more than 90 per cent of its income being used to service debts.”

Mr Mbah thanked the minister and the federal government for the prompt response.

(NAN)