The Federal Government has sent a team of engineers right away to fix a damaged bridge on the Shagamu-Benin road, located at the border between Edo and Ondo states.
The damage happened on the side of the bridge that leads to Benin. This bridge has two sides, but only one side was affected in one part of the bridge’s structure.
According to a government statement, the Tinubu administration is taking quick action to fix the bridge. After the concrete repair is done, it will take up to 45 days before vehicles can start using that part of the road again. This waiting time is needed to let the concrete become strong enough.
A similar problem happened on another part of this bridge in the past, and it was fixed quickly.
The statement explained that the current damage is mostly due to the bridge getting old over time.
Bridges can get weaker as they age, especially if they aren’t regularly maintained.
The Shagamu-Benin bridge was built in 1981, and now the surface of the bridge is wearing out.
The statement said that a bridge’s lifespan depends on things like the materials used, weather, traffic, and how well it is maintained. Over time, these factors can cause damage such as cracks, holes, rust, or overall weakness.
The Minister of Works said a permanent solution is coming. The government plans to completely remove the top part of both bridges in that area (in Edo and Ondo states) and rebuild them using modern engineering techniques.
He apologized to drivers for any delays or stress caused by the repair work. He said the Ministry of Works will work with the Federal Road Safety Corps to keep traffic moving on the other side of the bridge during the repairs.
The Minister also said that President Tinubu’s government is working on fixing over 30 bridges across the country in 2025, and these projects will be done quickly.
He thanked the content creator who first raised awareness about the damage. He acknowledged that the person may have misunderstood the government’s efforts, but said the administration is seriously working to improve road infrastructure and support national growth.
The Minister repeated the government’s strong commitment to improving Nigeria’s roads and transport system to support long-term economic growth.
He added that the Renewed Hope projects, along with the road projects already in progress, are part of a big plan to grow Nigeria’s road network. This growth will help improve many areas, including health, education, tourism, regional trade, and industry—boosting the overall quality of life for Nigerians.
