By Jabiru Hassan
The Federal Ministry of Works has commenced urgent repairs on the damaged deck of the Benin-bound carriageway of the Shagamu-Benin bridge, located at the border of Edo and Ondo States.
Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, directed a team of engineers to the site immediately after the damage was reported. The bridge, built in 1981, has a double carriageway and suffered visible deterioration on one of its five spans.
Umahi explained that the damage is age-related, noting that bridge structures weaken over time due to factors such as traffic loads, corrosion, and environmental conditions. He assured road users that repairs would be completed within 45 days after concrete works, allowing for curing before resumption of vehicular movement.
The minister added that a permanent solution is being planned, which involves removing and rebuilding the entire deck slabs of the twin bridges in Ondo and Edo States using innovative engineering technology.
While apologizing for the inconvenience, Umahi said the Federal Road Safety Corps will assist in managing traffic on the unaffected carriageway during the repair.
He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is intervening on more than 30 bridges across the country in 2025, as part of the Renewed Hope agenda to overhaul road infrastructure and stimulate economic growth.
Umahi also commended the content creator who raised the alarm on the damaged bridge but urged critics to acknowledge the progress being made in rehabilitating federal roads nationwide.
