By Ifeoluwa Odunayo
The Federal Government is turning to advanced technology to safeguard the nation’s bridges, as it prepares to deploy robotic machines for underwater inspections across Nigeria.
This bold move, aimed at enhancing structural integrity and slashing maintenance costs, was unveiled by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, during a stakeholders meeting on Section Two of the Lagos to Calabar Coastal Highway project on Sunday.
Umahi noted that the current dependence on human divers for underwater assessments is both costly and unsustainable.
“We are embracing robotic technology to revolutionise how we inspect our bridges.
“These machines will deliver real time visuals of the underwater conditions, allowing us to detect issues early and respond swiftly,” he explained.
The government is partnering with HITECH Construction Company, with its Managing Director, Mr Danny Abboud, leading the charge to procure the cutting edge equipment.
Experts say the adoption of robotic technology marks a significant step forward in modernising Nigeria’s infrastructure management, promising improved safety and efficiency in bridge maintenance nationwide.
