Collapse Of Aleto-Akpajo Bridge, Imminent – Expert

A seasoned engineering expert in Rivers State, Engr. Obari Ozigi, has warned that the bridge linking Aleto, Akpajo with other states may soon collapse
Speaking with The Tide yesterday in Port Harcourt, Ozigi stressed that the deplorable state of the East – West road, which had caused more deaths in recent times, should be rehabilitated, describing the condition of the road as a “death trap”.
He expressed reservations over why the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing could not maintain the few Federal roads in the state, and lamented that it would not augur well for the nation’s development, if the Federal government was only interested in the crude oil in the South.
He stated that the East-West road was a key link to outside Rivers and had great economic and social importance to the area, noting with dismay the fast deteriorating situation of the road, attributing it to frequent usage by tankers and other heavy duty vehicles.
Ozigi, a Uniport-trained Mechanical Engineer, therefore, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, in particular, and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in partnership with the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), in general, to urgently address the issue “before things get out of hand”.
He further appealled to the National Assembly to critically look into the state of roads in the South-South for effective resuscitation through passage of accelerated bills that would correct their dilapidated state, which enables users in Rivers, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States be free from risk due largely to their poor condition.
Engr. Ozigi, who doubles as Head of Mechanical Engineering Department at Government Craft Development Centre (GCDC), Port Harcourt, further expressed reservation as to why the Federal Government should ignore resolutions from the National Assembly Legislature which had last year passed similar resolutions to give attention to most Federal roads in the South without any positive impact.
He had admonished the lawmakers to revisit the issue and ensure its strict compliance by the executive.

Bethel Toby & Ngozi Nnadozie