IS Dantata Bridge In Abuja Safe For Use?
8/31/2025
By Kamal samaila
You know, life has a way of making you pay attention to things you might have overlooked before. For me, that shift happened after hearing about the tragic incident at the Keffi flyover bridge in Nasarawa State back in July. It was all over the news. A section of the bridge precst beam just gave way, collapsing right onto a Keke Napep tricycle, instantly killing two people and leaving two others seriously injured.
I remember reading how residents blamed structural defects while some said it was trucks that overload reaching the headroom of the bridge and constantly brushing the beams that support the deck.
Immediatly the Federal Government had to step in, closing part of the bridge and setting a 30-day deadline for repairs.
It hit close to home because Keffi isn't that far from Abuja, and we all use similar bridges every day without a second thought. That event shook me up. it made me more observant of my surroundings, especially the infrastructures like bridges that we rely on constantly.
I started looking closer at the roads, the supports, the little signs of wear that could turn into big problems. And that's exactly how I spotted the issues on the popular Dantata Bridge along the Airport Road in Abuja.
My Detailed Observation of Concrete Spalling on Dantata Bridge
The bridge has four spans that is the sections between the supports—with three circular piers in each row holding up the ends of those spans. At either end of the bridge, there are abutments, those solid walls that anchor everything to the ground.
From what I could see, there was visible peeling (spalling) on at least four of the piers, mostly at their bases where they meet the soil. The concrete was crumbling in patches, revealing the rusty rebar underneath.
There is drainage channels nearby are clogged with dirt, weeds, and debris, causing water to pool around the bases during rain. That's a recipe for disaster in Abuja's climate, where heavy downpours are common and humidity keeps things damp. The reddish laterite soil typical of this area was muddy in spots, and I noticed how the water seeps right up against the concrete, speeding up the corrosion process.
Concrete Spalling happens when moisture gets into the concrete, freezes and expands in colder weather (though that's less of an issue here), or more commonly in our case, when salts or chemicals from the environment cause the rebar to corrode. The rust expands, pushing the concrete apart from the inside out. If not fixed, it can lead to bigger cracks, reduced load-bearing capacity, and eventually failures. Seeing this on a bridge that's only been around since about 2010 made me question how well we're maintaining these vital structures. It's not like this is a remote rural bridge; thousands of cars, trucks, and pedestrians use it daily. People from Lugbe rushing to work in the central area, airport shuttles ferrying travelers.
Below are some images taken onsite showing possible defect:
Recommendations
What can be done? For starters, the FCDA and Ministry of Works should prioritize assessments of key bridges like this one, perhaps collaborating with NBRRI for integrity tests. Simple fixes like patching the spalled areas, applying protective coatings to the rebar, and clearing drainage could go a long way. Long-term, investing in durable materials and regular audits would help. there also need for bridge management system and maybe creating digital twins of key bridges in Nigeria
As citizens, we can push for transparency and ask questions about maintenance budgets and timelines.
- Immediate inspection by qualified engineers
- Assessment of structural integrity
- Urgent repairs to prevent further deterioration
- Implementation of corrosion protection measures
Conclusion
The condition of Dantata Bridge requires urgent attention to ensure public safety and infrastructure longevity. I recommend that relevant authorities prioritize inspection and maintenance.