Fix World War II bridges, senator tells Fashola

The senate on Wednesday mandated its committee on works to summon Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing, to brief it on a viable plan of action for the reconstruction of all bailey bridges in the country.

In a motion moved on Wednesday by Gilbert Nnaji, a senator representing Enugu east, the Federal Roads Maintenance Authority (FERMA) was asked to urgently reconstruct the collapsed bailey bridges across Ebenyi River at Ikem in Isi-Uzo local government area of Enugu state as well as other faulty bailey bridges across the country.

The lawmaker from Enugu state explained that the bailey bridges were developed and used during the second world war, and up to a few years after the Nigerian civil war, to provide temporary crossing for foot and vehicular traffic.

He lamented that many of such bridges in various parts of the country had either caved in or collapsed owing to age and pressure.

Nnaji added that the condition of the bridges was causing untold hardship on commuters, motorists and other road users.

A few senators made contributions in support of the motion, among whom were Theodore Orji from Abia state, who asked the government to act fast in re-constructing the dilapidated bridges.

The senate, presided over by Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, thereafter adopted the prayer of Nnaji directing its committee to invite the minister.

This is the second time Ekweremadu will be presiding over the senate.

On November 11, when he first took charge of the red chamber, some All Progressives Congress (APC) senators staged a walk out in protest.

But on Wednesday, a good number of APC senators were around while Ekweremadu held the gavel as senate president.

Senate President Bukola Saraki is in Ogun state to attend the funeral of Hannah Awolowo, who died in October.