The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to immediately begin the rehabilitation of failed portions of the Ovia River Bridge on the Lagos Benin Ore expressway to curb accidents and unending gridlock.
The House also urged the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to as a matter of urgency remove all damaged and accidental vehicles from the bridge and around the failed portion.
This was sequel to a motion on the “Need to Rehabilitate the Failed Portions of the Ovia River Bridge along the Benin-Lagos Expressway,“ by Dennis Idahosa on Wednesday at plenary.
Presenting the motion, Idahosa noted that the Ovia River Bridge was very strategic on the Lagos-Benin Expressway and a gateway to major parts of the country.
According to him: “Presently there are failed portions on the road which has become notorious for multiple accidents resulting in severe injuries, loss of lives of innocent hardworking Nigerians and properties running into millions of Naira on a weekly basis.
“On 29 June, 2023 all passengers of an eighteen seater vehicle including a little baby died in an accident on Ovia bridge killing over two hundred persons.
“The untold hardships faced by commuters due to the unending gridlock on the failed portion of the road spanning kilometres.
“The bridge serves as a major route for the transportation of goods and services to various parts of the country, but the failed portions on the bridge have affected the delivery services, thus affecting economic development y of the country.“
The House observed a minute silence in honour of those who died in the accidents on Ovia River Bridge and the families who lost their loved ones in road accidents.
They adopted the motion and mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance (when constituted) to ensure implementation.
PIAK
