The Benue State branch of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a warning regarding the potential collapse of the Katsina-Ala bridge due to truck drivers using it as a parking area.
Terngu Adagba, the Unit Commander of FRSC RS 4.23 in Katsina-Ala, expressed concern over the situation, noting that repeated warnings to the truck drivers to avoid parking on the bridge have been disregarded.
Adagba, speaking to reporters in Makurdi, the state capital, emphasized the dangers of having trailers with cargo parked on the bridge, highlighting the risk of structural damage and potential collapse.
The Katsina-Ala bridge serves as a crucial link between the North Eastern part of Benue State and Taraba and Cross River states. It was recently renovated by the Federal Government.
Adagba explained that the weight of parked vehicles, particularly heavy trucks and tankers, contributes to the bridge's deterioration, fatigue, and structural harm.
For instance, an empty 20-feet tanker weighs 2,000kg, while a 40-feet empty tanker doubles that weight. The cumulative weight of several stationary trucks on the bridge can reach significant levels, posing a serious threat to its integrity.
He emphasized that the Katsina-Ala bridge was not designed to accommodate the weight and stress caused by parked trucks and tankers, urging articulated truck drivers to refrain from using the bridge as a parking space to prevent potential disasters.
Adagba concluded by warning that the ongoing indiscriminate
parking of articulated trucks on the Katsina-Ala Bridge could lead to severe
consequences for the bridge's stability and safety.
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