Collapsed Asaba-Ase Bridge: With Plans Afoot For It’s Repairs, Hope Rises In Ase Community For The Abandoned Ase-Ekregbesi Bridge’s Revival

October 4, 2024 Greg Abolo

The Oasis Reporters

October 4, 2024

While assessing the collapsed Asaba-Ase Bridge, Hon. Commissioner for Works, (Rural and Riverine roads), Charles Aniagwu spoke to the Press at Asaba-Ase flanked by the Hon. Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Emamusi Obiodeh ( third from left) and other top government officials. Image credit: Warri Sentinel.

As the Delta State Government announces plans for the repair of the recently collapsed Asaba-Ase wooden bridge which connects Uzere in Isoko South to Asaba-Ase in Ndokwa East, hope has risen in the riverine communities that some of the abandoned bridge projects in the area would receive attention after sensitizing the new administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori sufficiently about them.

They believe so because the Honorable Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine roads), Charles Aniagwu has just visited the area.

The bridge the Commissioner came to see and assess is an essential transport route for local communities that gave way under pressure.

During a site visit on Monday, the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Charles Aniagwu, confirmed the government’s commitment to restoring the bridge. He assured residents that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is dedicated to expediting the repair process to restore this crucial link as quickly as possible and reconnect the affected areas.

Right on the same riverine route that is a short distance from Asaba Ase, is the Ekregbesi creek that connects Asaba Ase and its main Ase town with a bridge that was in the works since 2002 and after the piling for the pillars had been successfully done far above water level and nearly completed, yet remains abandoned, twenty years after. So much money had been sunk into it.

*Canoe trip across the Ekregbesi creek, a tributary of the Ase River in Ndokwa East. Abandoned for over 22 years.*
*Photo credit: Damian Mike*

*Ekregbesi bridge in Ndokwa East LG, abandoned for more than 22 years. Piling for the pillars where almost completed before the Contractor left the site.*

Ase River. Ekregbesi Creek is a tributary of the river, which connects Ase mainland with Asaba-Ase quarter. A major riverine artery to Uzere in Isoko South (a host community to Shell Flow station and Gas Flaring site since 1958), a few kilometers to Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South local government.

Ase community leaders are hoping that the Honorable commissioner would kindly look into it and revive the project.

Mr. Aniagwu, alongside the Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Emamusi Obiodeh, also checked the progress of other key road projects in Isoko North and South, including the second phase of the Emevor-Orogun road and the Igbide-Olomoro road, where repair work is ongoing.