The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has given China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) an October deadline to complete the reconstruction of the collapsed New Artisan Bridge on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
Umahi issued the directive through Mr. Uche Anichukwu, the Senior Special Assistant on External Relations to Governor Peter Mbah, during an inspection of key Federal Government projects in Enugu State, accompanied by Governor Peter Mbah. He commended CCECC for the quality and speed of work, stating, “I am giving them October 2024 to deliver this project.”
“I have been here more than 10 times since the collapse of the bridge. The governor went to see Mr President, who directed immediate work on the bridge. This work is being done by CCECC. I must commend them very highly for their quality of work and speed. This is the speed that Enugu governor desires and he is also very happy with this,” the statement quoted Umahi to have said.
Due to funding constraints, the Federal Government will allow the Enugu State Government to complete the remaining part of the 61km road under the Highway Development Management Initiative, a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
Umahi praised Governor Mbah’s administration for its strategic efforts and partnership with President Bola Tinubu’s administration to boost infrastructure development in the state. He reaffirmed his commitment to completing the remaining sections of the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, as well as the dualization of the Enugu-Abakaliki Road.
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It bears mentioning that Governor Mbah commended the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the challenge of road infrastructure in the South-East region. The reconstruction of the New Artisan Bridge and other road projects are expected to enhance connectivity and economic growth in the region.
It remains to be seen how things progress from here on out.
