Senate Urges FG to Urgently Intervene in Collapsed Okija Bridge, Failing Spur Road in Anambra

The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to take immediate action to address the collapse of a vital bridge and deteriorating sections of the Okija Spur Road in Anambra State, highlighting the risks to lives and the deepening economic challenges faced by local communities.

The upper chamber specifically urged the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to conduct an urgent engineering inspection of the collapsed old bridge and all failed portions of the Okija Spur Road. It also advocated for emergency measures to restore temporary and safe connectivity for residents and commuters. Additionally, the Senate mandated its Committee on Works to monitor all intervention efforts related to the Okija Spur Road, the collapsed bridge, and the ongoing completion of a new bridge structure.

These resolutions came during Wednesday’s plenary session following the adoption of a motion titled “Need for the Rehabilitation of Okija Spur – Ihembosi – Ukpor – Ebenator – Ezinifite Road,” sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Nwachukwu (APGA, Anambra South).

In presenting the motion, Senator Nwachukwu described the Okija Spur–Okija through Afor Ukpor to Ebenator and Ezinifite Road as a crucial intra-regional corridor in Anambra South Senatorial District. He noted that it serves as a primary link for commerce, agriculture, education, healthcare, and other socio-economic activities across multiple communities.

The lawmaker revealed that the old bridge along the route collapsed on March 5, 2025, effectively halting all movement, endangering lives, and disrupting economic and social ties in the affected areas. He further explained that a new bridge over the Ulasi Stream, which has been under construction for more than a decade, remains only about 70% complete. While pillars have been erected and deck components fabricated, installation is pending, rendering the structure unusable and the entire corridor impassable.

Senator Nwachukwu expressed deep concern over the combined effects of the bridge collapse, the incomplete new bridge, and the degraded sections of the road, particularly between Ukpor and Ebenator. These issues, he said, have escalated safety hazards, inflated transportation costs, and intensified hardships for residents and road users.

He stressed that completing the new bridge and intervening on the old one are the most pressing steps needed to restore access, ahead of a full rehabilitation of the road’s remaining failed sections. The senator underscored the necessity for swift federal intervention to stabilize the corridor, revive access, bolster local livelihoods, and avert further infrastructure decay.

In his contribution, Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed the Committee on Works to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA to ensure prompt completion of the project. He emphasized the urgency of enhancing safety along the corridor, amid growing worries about kidnappings and banditry in the region.

The Okija Spur Road has long been a lifeline for Anambra South, connecting agrarian communities and facilitating the transport of goods to markets in nearby states. However, reports indicate that persistent neglect has led to recurring collapses and erosion, exacerbating isolation during rainy seasons. Local residents have repeatedly called for upgrades, with the March 2025 incident stranding commuters and forcing detours that add hours to travel times.

This development comes amid broader national concerns over infrastructure deficits, with similar calls for road and bridge repairs in other regions. The Senate’s intervention is expected to prompt FERMA to deploy resources for temporary fixes, while long-term funding for the new bridge’s completion remains a priority.