The Federal Ministry of Works has announced urgent intervention on the damaged deck of the Benin-bound section of the Shagamu-Benin carriageway, assuring road users of a swift and lasting solution.

In a statement signed by Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works, Uchenna Orji, on Tuesday, the ministry said it is actively following up on repairs and has dispatched a team of engineers to the site.

“The Honourable Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed immediate dispatch of a team of engineers to the location of the damaged bridge at the border of Edo and Ondo States of the Shagamu-Benin carriageway,” the statement said.

According to the ministry, the affected bridge, which has a double carriageway, suffered a visible puncture on the Benin-bound side within one of its five spans.

“In line with the proactive approach to interventions by the Renewed Hope administration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, urgent action has been initiated on the damaged section of the bridge, and it will take a maximum period of 45 days after concrete works for vehicular movement to resume on that section of the carriageway to allow the concrete to mature. It would be recalled that a similar incident occurred on one of the spans in the past, and it was repaired with dispatch,” the statement added.

The ministry attributed the damage to age-related deterioration, noting that the Shagamu-Benin bridge was constructed in 1981.

“The damage being noticed on the said bridge is age-related deterioration. Bridges are susceptible to having their structures undermined as a result of old age. The Shagamu-Benin bridge was built in 1981, and the bridge deck is ageing. The life span of a bridge can vary significantly based on several factors, including the materials used, environmental conditions, traffic loads, and maintenance practices. This overtime causes issues like punctures, cracks, corrosion, or structural weakness.”

Umahi assured us that a permanent solution is underway, using full deck reconstruction using innovative engineering technology.

“The Honourable Minister of Works assures that a permanent solution is underway for the Shagamu-Benin bridge, which is to remove the entire deck slab of the two sets of bridges in Ondo and Edo States, which are all within the same location, and rebuild the deck slab through innovative engineering technology.

“He apologises to the road users for the inconveniences they have suffered or will suffer during the period of the rehabilitation work. He assures that the Federal Ministry of Works shall work with the Federal Road Safety personnel to maintain traffic on one carriageway of the bridge during the period of the rehabilitation to avoid motorists getting stuck in a traffic jam. He states that Mr. President is intervening on over 30 bridges’ rehabilitation nationwide in 2025 alone, and this rehabilitation will happen urgently.”

He also acknowledged the individual who raised the alarm about the bridge damage, urging the public to appreciate the administration’s efforts in revamping Nigeria’s road infrastructure.

“The Honourable Minister of Works thanks the content creator who raised the alarm on the damaged section of the bridge. He notes the content creator’s preconceptions over the modest efforts of the Renewed Hope administration to transform the road infrastructure and expand the transportation ecosystem to stimulate progressive national economic growth but urges him and others with such mindsets to know that the Renewed Hope agenda of revolutionising road infrastructure nationwide is on course and the mission of revitalising and strengthenening the inherited deteriorating federal road architecture is making significant progress across the board.”

Umahi further reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s transport sector, describing the Renewed Hope projects as a catalyst for economic growth.

“The Honourable Minister reiterates the unwavering commitment of Mr. President in transforming Nigeria’s transport sector and positioning it for sustainable economic prosperity. His initiative to construct the Renewed Hope legacy projects in addition to the inherited ongoing road projects is a bold and broad vision to expand the nation’s road network, which is a catalyst for overall development, including healthcare, education, tourism, regional integration, industrialisation, and various other economic activities that will raise the nation’s human development index.”