BY WISDOM NDISIKA
KWALE/Nigeria: Despite assurances from the Delta State Government to recall the contractor responsible for the Kwale-Beneku Bridge, linking Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East, residents are calling for immediate intervention to fix the deteriorating structure, which remains uncommissioned. The newly constructed bridge, asphalted in early September 2024, is already showing signs of alarming decay, raising serious safety concerns.
An investigation by Ndokwa Reporters revealed deep dissatisfaction among local residents and commuters who frequently use the bridge. Their frustrations are mounting as holes have begun to appear, exposing the rushing waters of the river beneath. The rapid deterioration comes barely tless than two months after it was asphalted. 
The Cracked and Exposed Sections of the Newly Asphalted Bridge
Conceived during the administration of former Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the project faced numerous challenges from its inception, with concerns raised about the height of the bridge. After the devastating 2022 national floods, which submerged parts of the bridge, the height was subsequently increased. Despite being hailed as one of the flagship projects in the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, the present state of the bridge has cast a shadow over its initial celebration.
A local architect, speaking on condition of anonymity, criticised the poor supervision and use of substandard materials during the construction process. “The expansion joints, designed to allow for movement, should have been covered with metal plates, but asphalt was used instead,” he said. “The current cracks are a direct result of sun exposure, which metal plates would have mitigated. Additionally, the use of low-quality PVC pipes has further weakened the structure.”
Despite growing concerns, there has been no clear commitment from the Delta State Government regarding the bridge’s repair. While the Delta State Commissioner for Works and Urban Roads, Hon. Izeze Rume Yakubu Reuben, paid a familiarisation visit to the area last Sunday, he made no mention of plans to address the bridge’s critical condition.
With the bridge serving as a vital link between Ndokwa East and West, residents are urging the government to take swift action before the situation worsens and a disaster strikes. The community’s calls for immediate repairs grow louder as the clock ticks on a potentially hazardous structure.
