Idris directs repairs of collapsed bridge linking Niger Republic

Kebbi Government has commenced repairs of an important bridge liking the state with Niger Republic, which collapsed as a result of heavy rain at Makera, near Birnin Kebbi.

It was reported that the ever busy road has been closed down to vehicular movement to forestall preventable consequences to humans and goods.

Inspecting the bridge, on the mandate of Gov. Nasir Idris, the Deputy Governor, Sen. Umar Abubakar-Tafida, directed the Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Abdulllahi Umar-Muslim, to carry out an instantaneous assessment and recommendation.

The assessment, he said, was for immediate action by state government to reconstruct the bridge.

Abubakar-Tafida further ordered the Chairman of Birnin Kebbi Local Government, Alhaji Muhammad Nayaya-Ambursa, to fully block access across the collapsed bridge to safeguard lives and property.

“I am here on the mandate of Gov. Idris to sympathise with the communities and commuters plying Birnin Kebbi – Makera road connecting Kangiwa, linking Niger Republic.

“This road is also a commercial outlet for economic activities and movement of farm produce among several local government areas.

“The governor has given us the mandate to commence action to rebuild the collapsed bridge to restore vehicular movement to various destinations.

“We are appealing to the public for cooperation to facilitate smooth repairs of the bridge,” he pleaded.

He added that government had further authorised relevant agencies and local government councils to evacuate residents of towns and villagers affected by flood to more safe places.

The deputy governor advised that they should be resettled in school buildings pending provision of permanent abode.

Abubakar-Tafiida, who is the Chairman of the State Safety Management Committee on Impending Flood, also visited Kamfanin Sami in Argungu local government, where flooding sacked the entire community and cut-off the ever busy Argungu – Sokoto highway.

It was reported that the highway forced commuters to detour to a longer route passing through Gwandu town and Shagari, in Sookoto State, to and fro.

It was reported that the deputy governor was also at Zabarmar Magu village in Gwandu local government area, which had been flooded on the bye pass road linking Gwandu with Argungu towns.

He assured the inhabitants of both areas of the commitment of government to provide them with succour to recoup some of the losses incurred of farmlands washed away.

“The state government is collaborating with Federal Agencies to restore normality on the movement of people and goods on the Argungu – Sokoto highway, as well as assist communities displaced by flooding at Kamfanin Sami.

“The state government is extending such relief to the inhabitants of Zabarmar Magu, who experienced similar flooding and displacement. We are also sympathising with all the people of the state affected by this natural phenomenon,” the deputy governor said.