The Federal Government has commenced urgent intervention on the damaged deck of the Shagamu-Benin bridge, situated at the border of Edo and Ondo States.
The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, on Tuesday directed the immediate deployment of engineers to the affected section of the Benin-bound carriageway, which developed a visible puncture within one span of its five spans.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the Honourable Minister of Works, Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, the ministry said vehicular movement on the damaged section will resume after 45 days, following the required period for concrete works to mature.
According to the statement, the deterioration is age-related, as the bridge was constructed in 1981 and has since been subjected to wear from heavy traffic, environmental factors, and limited maintenance.
Senator Umahi disclosed that a permanent solution is underway, which involves removing the entire deck slab of the two sets of bridges in the area and rebuilding them with modern engineering technology. He apologised to motorists for the inconveniences the repair will cause, assuring that the Federal Ministry of Works will collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps to manage traffic flow during the rehabilitation.
He further revealed that the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is intervening in over 30 bridge rehabilitation projects nationwide in 2025 alone, as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope infrastructure agenda.
The Minister also acknowledged the role of a content creator who raised public concern about the damage, while stressing that the government remains committed to overhauling Nigeria’s road network.
“The Renewed Hope agenda of revolutionising road infrastructure nationwide is on course. The mission of revitalising the deteriorating federal road architecture is making significant progress across board,” the statement read.
Umahi reiterated the President’s determination to transform Nigeria’s transport sector, adding that ongoing and new legacy projects under the Renewed Hope plan would expand the road network and stimulate national economic growth across sectors including healthcare, education, tourism, regional integration, and industrialisation.
