China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation has been given a deadline by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to complete the collapsed New Artisan Bridge on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway by October.
A statement issued by Uche Anichukwu, the Senior Special Assistant on External Relations to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and released to the press on Monday, contains the directive.
The minister, while inspecting some key Federal Government projects in the state along with the governor, gave the directive according to Anichukwu.
Umahi was quoted by Anichukwu saying, “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 the quality of work and speed.
“This is the speed that Enugu governor desires and he is also very happy with this.”
“I am giving them October 2024 to deliver this project,” Umahi was quoted in the statement.
The statement further mentioned that due to a lack of funds, the Federal Government would allow the Enugu State Government to finish the remaining part of the 61km road, commencing from Naira Triangle under FG’s Highway Development Management Initiative.
This arrangement, the statement noted, would be solely under a Public-Private Partnership.
The minister was also commended in the statement for his administration’s strategic initiatives and collaboration with President Bola Tinubu’s government to enhance infrastructure development in the state.
Anichukwu clarified that Umahi reaffirmed the commitment to complete the remaining segments of the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway as well as dualize the Enugu-Abakaliki Road.
Mbah was quoted praising the Federal Government’s dedication to addressing the road infrastructure challenge in the South-East.
NAN