BYST GOVERNMENT DENIES THE COLLAPSE OF A BRIDGE BUILT IN THE LATE 60s BY SPDC

Bayelsa State government yesterday dispelled rumours that the 45-year-old iron bridge linking the Igbogene and Okoloibiri communities in Yenagoa local government area of the state has collapsed, saying it was only shut down to motorists due to noticeable defects.

The State Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Vincent Jack, had been quoted as confirming the collapse of the bridge, stating that his men were engaged in rescue effort at the scene.

But the Bayelsa government, through the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Lawrence Erudjakpo, said the reported collapse was not true.

“Let me confirm to you that we got a report on the defective nature of the bridge and the possible threat of collapse. We quickly asked the construction firm working in the area to shut down the bridge from motorists. If you go there, you will see that it is still been used by pedestrians but not motorists,” he said.

The narrow bridge, used by the community and motorists traveling in and outside the state, was built by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in the late 60s to enhance its exploration activity at the Ekelebo oil well in Okolobiri.