The Federal Government has ordered the immediate partial closure of the Keffi Bridge following severe damage caused by a heavy-duty vehicle carrying an excavator. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, confirmed the directive while addressing reporters on Thursday in Abuja, noting that the affected section of the bridge poses serious safety risks.
The closure became necessary after the truck struck the bridge beams, leading to a partial collapse. According to the minister, only one carriageway is currently closed, but a full closure may follow if further structural issues are found.
Senior engineers and technical officers have been dispatched to inspect the second carriageway. If additional damage is confirmed, Umahi said the entire bridge would be closed and treated as an emergency.
He stressed that the accident highlighted a bigger issue—the repeated violation of standard traffic regulations by drivers of high-bed trucks. Citing the official flyover clearance limit of 5.6 meters, he explained that many trucks exceed this height, leading to frequent damage of public infrastructure.
To prevent future occurrences, Umahi announced plans to raise the minimum flyover clearance to 6.5 meters and introduce metal gateways that will block overheight vehicles from approaching bridges.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Olofunsho Adebiyi, provided further details, stating that the truck’s excavator tore through the bridge, severely weakening its structure and damaging its beams. The force of the impact broke the concrete slab and shifted a major beam, compromising the entire structural integrity.
Adebiyi condemned the careless use of public infrastructure, warning that such actions not only endanger lives but also inflict heavy economic costs on the nation.
