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From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
The Senate on Wednesday called for immediate federal intervention to rehabilitate the Okija Spur–Ihembosi–Ukpor–Ebenator–Ezinifite Road in Anambra South Senatorial District, following the adoption of a motion highlighting the critical condition of the corridor and the collapse of a key bridge.
The motion, titled “Need for the Rehabilitation of Okija Spur–Ihembosi–Ukpor–Ebenator–Ezinifite Road,” was sponsored by Senator Emmanuel C. Nwachukwu (Anambra South) and debated during plenary.
Leading the debate, Senator Nwachukwu informed the Senate that the Okija Spur Road running through Okija, Afor Ukpor, Ebenator and Ezinifite remains one of the most vital intra-regional corridors in Anambra South, supporting commerce, agriculture, education, healthcare access and other socio-economic activities across several communities.
He noted that an old bridge along the route collapsed on 5 March 2025, completely shutting down movement, endangering lives and severely disrupting economic and social connectivity within the affected areas.
According to the Anambra South lawmaker, “the deteriorated condition of the road has heightened safety risks, increased transportation costs, and compounded hardship for residents, traders, farmers, students and transporters who depend on this corridor for their daily activities.”
The lawmaker further drew attention to the new bridge over the Ulasi Stream, which has been under construction for over a decade but is only about 70 per cent completed.
He stressed that although pillars have been erected and deck components fabricated, the bridge remains non-operational as the components have not been installed, leaving the corridor effectively impassable.
Senator Nwachukwu expressed concern that the collapse of the old bridge, coupled with the incomplete status of the new bridge and the deteriorating condition of several sections of the road, particularly between Ukpor and Ebenator, has heightened safety risks, increased transportation costs and compounded hardship for residents, traders, farmers, students and transporters.
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He stressed that the urgent completion of the new bridge and immediate intervention on the collapsed old bridge now represent the most critical steps required to restore movement, pending the full rehabilitation of other failed sections of the road.
He also emphasised that swift federal intervention is necessary to stabilise the corridor, restore access, support local livelihoods and prevent further deterioration.
Concluding his presentation, Senator Nwachukwu urged his colleagues to support the motion in the interest of public safety and economic sustainability.
Several senators who contributed to the debate expressed support for the motion, while drawing parallels with similar infrastructure challenges confronting their respective senatorial districts and other parts of the country.
Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Senator Nwachukwu for bringing the matter before the chamber. While acknowledging ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to address infrastructure deficits nationwide, he noted that more still needed to be done to meet growing demands across the country.
Following the debate, the Senate adopted the motion through a voice vote.
It accordingly urged the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to immediately conduct an engineering inspection of the collapsed old bridge and all failed sections of the Okija Spur Road, and to initiate emergency measures to restore at least temporary and safe connectivity.
The Senate also mandated its Committee on Works to oversee all intervention activities relating to the Okija Spur Road, the collapsed old bridge and the completion of the new bridge.
