The Federal Ministry of Works has commenced the rehabilitation of the dilapidated Gamon Bridge, which connects the Benin/Mosogar/Sapele Highway from Mosogar in Ethiope West LGA to Okirighwre in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.
This development follows the intervention of Senator Ede Dafinone, who represents the Delta Central Senatorial District. He drew the federal government’s attention to the poor state of the bridge, which urgently needed repair.
Senator Dafinone, in a letter addressed to the Honourable Minister of Works, with reference number SED NASS/FMW/ERGP2024/901 dated July 4, 2024, highlighted the deplorable condition of the Gamon Bridge and the pressing need for repairs.
The letter, titled “RE: Urgent Attention and Repair of Gamon Bridge and Adjoining Road on Benin-Sapele Road, Delta State,” stated:
“The deplorable condition of GAMON BRIDGE, located in my Senatorial District, has been brought to my attention. To avert imminent disaster, I request the intervention of the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Works, as mentioned above.
“The bridge, known as GAMON BRIDGE, was constructed in the late 60s and early 70s. It serves as a gateway to deeper South-South states through the River Ethiope for commuters from the Southwest states. It links the busy Ethiope West LGA to the NPA seaport in Sapele LGA, covering 8.7 km, including the nearly 2.0 km bridge.
“Presently, the non-motorable 8.7 km federal link road, including the near-collapse GAMON BRIDGE connecting the Benin/Mosogar/Sapele Highway from Mosogar point in Ethiope West LGA to Okerighwre in Sapele LGA, requires urgent and emergency intervention from the federal government.
“Moreover, with the recent rains, the entire stretch of the GAMON Bridge and road are frequently flooded due to some alleged remediation slabs cast on both sides by a state agency, which are rather harmful ‘dead weights’ on the bridge, causing stagnant flooding and distorting its engineering and structural design.
“Consequently, I urge the Honourable Minister of Works to provide immediate remediation and intervention to avert an imminent disaster in the area.”
In response to Senator Dafinone’s letter, the Honourable Minister for Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, mobilized contractors to begin immediate repairs on the bridge, a development applauded by stakeholders in Delta State.
An elated Senator Dafinone took to his official Facebook page to announce the development, praising the Honourable Minister for the quick response. According to him, “I am pleased to announce that the rehabilitation of the Gamon Bridge, which connects the Benin/Mosogar/Sapele Highway from Mosogar in Ethiope West LGA to Okirighwre in Sapele LGA, has commenced.
“On July 4th, 2024, I brought the urgent need for the repair of the Gamon Bridge and the adjoining Benin-Sapele road in Delta State to the attention of the Federal Ministry of Works.
“Constructed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Gamon Bridge has historically served as a critical gateway for commuters travelling from the Southwest states to the deeper South-South states via the River Ethiope. This 8.7 km stretch, including the nearly 2.0 km bridge, links the bustling Ethiope West LGA to the NPA seaport in Sapele LGA.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Honourable Minister, Governor David Nweze Umahi, CON, for his prompt response in addressing this pressing issue.”
When our correspondent visited the bridge, workers were on-site repairing broken bars and desilting the bridge.