Gladys Nweke
The Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC Eleme Unit Command, Mr. Igwe Arinze, has raised an alarm over the possible collapse of the Aleto bridge on the Aleto axis of the East/West Road.
Igwe said that if urgent measures are not put in place by appropriate authorities to save the bridge, it would cave in sooner than expected.
The condition of the bridge had generated concerns among residents of Rivers State, especially Eleme and Ogoni indigenes.
In September, Rivers State federal lawmakers led by the Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Barry Mpigi, in a peaceful protest, called federal government’s attention to the bridge, saying that if the bridge collapses, it would cut off the industrial hub of the region.
The unit commander on an inspection visit to the bridge on Monday said he observed that the beams holding the bridge looked so distressed and may give way if high tide increases the water current.
Mr. Arinze also pointed out that lots of cracks on the substructural and superstructural elements of the bridge have become so visible to even non professionals.
He however called on government and other relevant authorities to take urgent measures to save the bridge and prevent accidents that might occur in the event of a collapse.
