Multi-million Naira New Nkpa Bridge Set For Use March 2022, Contractor Assures

From CHUDI UWANDU, On Site

A new bridge across the Eme, river , (Amaediaba axis), Nkpa in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, will be completed in March, 2022, according to a top official of the firm handling its construction.

It is one of the major components of the N1.3b, Federal Government contract for Erosion Control and Road Rehabilitation through Nkpa Communities, under the UMU IMENYI/NKPA ROAD ECOLOGICAL FUND PROJECT.

Attracted by the Rt Hon. Ben Okezie Kalu, , the Representative of Bende Federal constituency, through a historic first motion in the 9th Assembly of Federal House of Representatives, the contract is being executed by NESPRESCO SERVICES LTD.

On the site inspection account by a concerned illustrious indigene, Chief Chudi Uwandu, indicates that already, serious work, as never witnessed in previous attempts at road construction, in Nkpa, has begun in earnest with the project.

Also, a standard construction yard with adequate security and lighting at night, has been constructed a few metres away from the rail line.

Preliminary works, including preparation of stirrups, horse benches beam spacers and other reinforcements necessary for the commencement of the building of the bridge, are progressing in the yard.

Walls and trees along the 6.1 kilometre road to be reconstructed have been clearly marked, unlike in the past, to signify seriousness and commitment and to guide workers.

After the bridge, a few meters from Orie oji, market, Amediaba, a concrete drainage is being built on the left flank of the road, to empty flood into the river.

Two heavy earth moving equipment and. a big truck crossed the bridge Tuesday to station at Orieoji, from where they would commence work on the road section in the weeks ahead
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A Senior site Engineer, Mr. Emmanuel Adegboye, told me Tuesday, at the Construction Yard, that work on the project would have gone beyond it’s present level, if the rains had abated or stopped in due time in the Community this year.

“As you can see, we had planned to re channel the course of the river yesterday to enable us start foundational work on the new bridge, but it rained heavily, again, forcing us to wait further”

Asked if the bridge would be ready by December, 2021, he quipped: “No, no. That is not possible. The scheduled completion time is March, next year”. Pointing to a graphic representation of the contract’s timeline hanging on the wall of their container office, Adegboye added: “You’ll be using the old bridge, while we are building the new one by December.

“Help plead with your people for patience. But for the rains you will have seen what we are capable of. This job is nothing compared to our capacity”