Posted by From JAMES OJO, Abuja on
Worried that the Onitsha Bridge may soon collapse as revealed by the Ad-hoc Committee of the Senate that probed the utilization of funds in the transport sector, the House of Representatives on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to commence rehabilitation of the bridge immediately.
Worried that the Onitsha Bridge may soon collapse as revealed by the Ad-hoc Committee of the Senate that probed the utilization of funds in the transport sector, the House of Representatives on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to commence rehabilitation of the bridge immediately.
The imminent danger that the bridge posed to motorist and commuters plying the bridge was first brought by Hon. Obinna Chidoka on Tuesday, but Speaker Dimeji Bankole deferred debate till the next legislative day (yesterday).
Moving the motion on behalf of 67 others, Obinna said the Onitsha bridge, built in 1962 was in a terrible state of disrepair, stressing the fact that it connected the South East and South South zones with the northern part of the country.
'Very soon, the Onitsha bridge may collapse anytime from now. The truth is that the bridge, constructed in 1962 by Dumez Construction Company is being overutilized because of increased flow of traffic.
'Following its dilapidating state, motorists and passengers are visibly worried at crossing the Niger Bridge," he argued.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, said the motion was timely as it affects the lives of many people.
The motion was unanimously carried when the speaker, put it to vote.
Also, the House passed into second reading, the bill for an act to provide for the assessment, supervision and approval of all building constructions by qualified architects or building engineers.
The bill, sponsored by Hon Nnnana Kalu would help stem the rate at which buildings collapse in the country, with the attendant loss of lives and properties.
Hon Jumoke Okoya-Thomas and Hon Friday Itulah spoke in favour of the bill before it was committed to the Committee on Housing and Habitat.