Delta State Government says the reconstruction of the collapsed Bedesegha Bridge along Bomadi Road in Patani Local Government Area of the state will be ready for use in January 2024.
State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze disclosed this during inspection of ongoing works on the project at the weekend.
He said the contracting firm, Niger Construction Limited (NIGERCAT), had given assurances of its completion in January, saying the company could not meet the earlier completion date of December 20 because of high rains that caused heavy flooding around the project.
Izeze said: “Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had graciously granted the contracting firm (NIGERCAT) up to December 20 as they requested to complete this project and hand it over so that it will be ready for use to not only Deltans but including Bayelsans during the yuletide season.
“For those who may not be aware, this particular bridge is a very strategic for the fact that it leads to three local governments, Bomadi, Burutu and Ughelli South and it is also the shortest access to Bayelsa State on this part, so its a very strategic bridge.
“Governor Oborevwori is concerned that the people of this area who are predominantly Christians, would want to celebrate the yuletide in their villages/ towns hence he conceded and granted the 20th of December as the deadline for the completion of this work.
“However, we didn’t anticipate an act of God which is the heavy rain that caused heavy flooding in this area hence the contractor lost about 28 working days from the date they anticipated.
“The contractor (NIGERCAT) has created a diversion as a temporary access to the bridge, it is solid and its being monitored to ensure that vehicles above 3 tonnes do not cross to the other side pending completion of the bridge.
“It will serve for the purpose temporarily and they have assured us that even though they lost 28 days they will achieve the January target by working round the clock.
“I have come, we have seen them, the beams are ready to be launched once they conclude the pillars they are about to cast now, they will launch the beams, cast and give it some time.
“They have assured us they are going to use some very special chemicals that will help the process of solidification to be faster than it will ordinarily take.
“It is my hope that they keep to their word and I trust that they will do that because they know that Governor Oborevwori is a promise keeper”.
The Works Commissioner, who was accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon and top officials of the Ministry, appealed to commuters using the road to bear with the government as the contractor was working assiduously to deliver the project in the early week of January 2024.
“My appeal to the people of the area is that Governor Oborevwori has always been a promise keeper and we will go back to him that there was an act of God that caused the delays we are experiencing.
“So we appeal to our people to know that Governor Oborevwori is still the promise keeper that he is known for but the act of God delayed the project from being delivered on the 20th of December he had anticipated.
“We do assure Deltans, Bayelsans and all those who ply this route that by the second week of January the bridge will be ready for inauguration,” he said.
Also speaking the supervising engineer and Deputy Director, Highways, Mr Eghwrudje Ojarigho expressed satisfaction with the quality of work being done by the contractor.
