In a shocking incident today, an overhead bridge at New Artisan Junction along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Independence Layout, Enugu State, collapsed at approximately 1 pm on Monday, September 25, 2023. The collapse occurred while a truck was traversing the ill-fated structure. Thankfully, no casualties were reported as the truck was empty at the time of the incident.
The collapse primarily impacted one side of the bridge, while concerns have been raised about the structural integrity of the other side, according to the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
In response to the emergency, a coordinated effort was swiftly launched, with the NEMA South East Zonal Office leading the response. Several other agencies and authorities also stepped in to assist, including FERMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FSRC), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Enugu State Capital Development Authority, the Ministry of Transport, the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Army.
The Enugu State Governor, Barrister Peter Mbah, personally visited the scene of the incident to assess the extent of the damage and the ongoing response efforts.
The affected bridge is a critical transportation artery for travelers heading to Imo State, Abia State, and Rivers State through Enugu. In light of this incident, Enugu State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Gerald Otiji, has urged the public to utilize alternative routes while assessments and repair work are conducted.
The collapse of the New Artisan Junction bridge has raised concerns about infrastructure safety in the region, and authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
