The Federal Government has assured road users that the repairs on Murtala Muhammed Bridge along Kotonkarfe-Lokoja road will be completed on schedule despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus and the rise in the tide of the River Niger.
The assurance was given by the Director of Highways and Bridges in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engineer Emmanuel Adetunji Adeoye who was at the site to access the progress of work on the bridge.
The Director said, “Before the rains came, around May and June they did a lot of under water works and at that time the public was not noticing.”
“Because the water has come up now and they cannot really do much of the underwater works, that’s why they are doing the surface work that everyone is seeing but when we get towards November and December they will go on to continue the underwater works”.
Looking at the time and the work they have done so far, I believe they are still within the schedule.”
Engineer Adeoye added that although the contract was awarded on the 10th of March, 2020 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, work commenced on the 11th of May, 2020, and the work is expected to be completed by May 10, 2022.
He appealed to the public to show understanding and be patient as the government was committed to the repair of the bridge.
The Director said, “My appeal to road users is they should be patient and know that the government is committed to the repair of the bridge.”
He advised people to follow the instructions of the security personnel on the ground so as to enjoy the free flow of traffic.
The representative of the Contractor Engineer Ebenezer Princewill said the company, Hallekem Limited was prepared to deliver the contract within schedule as long as funds were provided.
On local content, he said available local materials were being used while most of the workers were from within the area.
He said, “In this community, we are training people on the project. We are also empowering the youths and have employed about thirty Nigerians for the job.”