Repay work on Namnai collapsed bridge in Taraba to begin next week - Minister

 

After months of untold hardship occasioned by the collapse of Namnai bridge in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, the federal government has completed arrangements for the commencement of total rehabilitation of the bridge by next week.

The Minister of State, Regional Development Alhaji Uba Maigari disclose this on Thursday during an assessment visit to the site of the collapsed bridge.

Maigari describe the situation on ground as disastrous and in fire need of urgent intervention.

He said that the Federal Government has already sent Engineers and other experts for a thorough assessment of the situation and in order to determine the best and immediate line of action.

He disclosed that as a responsible government, they will collaborate with the State government in areas that require such collaboration to expedite action and ease the extreme hardship the road users are contending with.

"The North East Development Commission NEDC earlier sent Engineers and quantity surveyors to assess the state of the bridge. This Namnai bridge is among 12 bridges that were listed for emergency intervention in the Six States of the region. Nobody anticipated this natural disaster as we now have here. 

"Also when the State Governor visited the Ministry about Six weeks ago, this bridge, Mayokam bridge, Suntai bridge and Bantaji bridges were part of the issues we discussed extensively, including the recently awarded Akwana Road. Let me assure you that as a responsible government, whatever we need to do, whatever partnership we need to have with the State Government to expedite action will be done.

"This place needs immediate attention and whatever has to be done to ensure that the road is motorable as soon as possible will be done. And so I can tell you that hold us responsible and accountable. In one week, we will find a solution to this problem. The most important thing is to get a solution and get it soon. I speak for the Federal Government" he said.

Our Correspondent recall that the Namnai bridge in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State along the Jalingo Wukari Federal Highway collapsed during the last raining season. The temporary arrangement that was made by the locals was washed away earlier this week after a heavy downpour.