Exclusive: Why Udu, Jeddo bridges are in dangerous state - Investigation

Investigations by Our Senior Correspondent, has revealed that dredging of sand around meters very close to the popular Udu Bridge in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, apart from age of the bridge, is a major contributing factor to the collapsing state of the bridge.

The Udu Bridge, which was reportedly constructed between 1973 and1975, records massive human and vehicular traffic daily as it serves a major link between the densely populated Uvwie and Udu Local Government Areas in oil and gas-rich Delta State. 

Sprawling sub-urbans such as Orhuwhorun, Ogbe-Udu and Otor Udu in Udu Local Government Area, Otu-Jeremi and Okwagbe in Ughelli South Local Government Area and Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South -West Local Government Area, are some of the major towns the collapsing Udu Bridge, connects.

So far, the only notable response by government several months after This Newspaper raised the alarm of the deteriorating state of the Udu Bridge, was a visit by the Delta State Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye, with Engineers from the Ministry to the bridge, assuring residents of “safety of the bridge”.

The Delta State Government through the Ministry of Works and Transport, had banned big trucks and other heavy duty vehicles from plying the bridge.

Sand dredging activities have intensified at the both flanks of the almost 50-year old bridge, weighing negatively on the sub structure of the bridge and resulting in occasional accidents.

Jeddo Bridge

While dredging of sand and construction of fish ponds are among factors causing the collapsing state of Jeddo Bridge, the infrastructural development of Jeddo and other adjourning towns in Okpe and Warri South Local Government Areas, with its attendant increase in human as well as vehicular traffic, are other critical factors negatively affecting Jeddo Bridge.  

Some residents who spoke to Our Senior Correspondent, called on the Delta State Government to as a matter of urgency, reconstruct and expand the bridge, to enable heavy duty vehicles ply the route daily.

After an earlier report by This Newspaper on the failing state of the Jeddo Bridge, an emergency repair work was carried out by the State Government, but the bridge has continued to fail integrity test as fear heightens among people that ply the route daily over fear of possible collapse.

File: Jeddo Bridge before the remedial work

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