By Peter Omopo
2nd September 2025
The Federal Ministry of Works has announced urgent intervention on the damaged deck of the Benin-bound section of the Shagamu–Benin carriageway, assuring motorists of a swift and lasting solution.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Works, Uchenna Orji, said Minister David Umahi had ordered the immediate deployment of engineers to the site, located at the border of Edo and Ondo states.
The ministry confirmed that the affected bridge, built in 1981, had developed a visible puncture on the Benin-bound side of one of its five spans due to age-related deterioration.
“In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, urgent action has been initiated. Vehicular movement on that section will resume within 45 days after the concrete works mature,” the statement read.
Umahi disclosed that a permanent solution was being planned, involving full deck reconstruction of the twin bridges at the location using advanced engineering technology. He assured that traffic would be managed on the unaffected carriageway during repairs to ease congestion.
The minister apologised for the inconveniences caused and thanked the citizen who first raised the alarm about the damage, noting that such vigilance supports government efforts in rehabilitating critical infrastructure.
He further reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to rehabilitating over 30 bridges nationwide in 2025 alone, adding that road infrastructure development remains central to driving healthcare, education, tourism, industrialisation, and economic growth.
