Residents of Namnai community in Gassol local government council of Taraba and motorists plying the busy route linking the state to the southern part of Nigeria have heaved a sigh of relief as the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) commenced the reconstruction of the collapsed Namnai bridge.
It would be recalled that the bridge was washed away by floods in 2024, cutting off a major transport link and causing hardship for commuters, traders and residents. Since its collapse, travelers, as observed by newsmen, have faced significant difficulties accessing parts of the state and beyond.
A delegation from the commission, who visited Taraba during the weekend to inspect and commission projects executed by the commission across the state, expressed happiness that construction work has finally begun on the bridge.
Led by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigeri Ahmadu, the delegation who personally visited the site of the bridge to assess progress confirmed that contractors have been mobilised to urgently carry out the reconstruction.It was revealed that the demolition of the weakened structure is underway, with workers using heavy equipment to dismantle damaged sections in preparation for a new and more resilient bridge.
Speaking during the inspection, the minister said the project and other projects constructed in the nooks and crannies of Taraba State aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that his goal is to ensure timely delivery of critical infrastructure across the region.
He expressed satisfaction that work had finally commenced on the Namnai Bridge and assured residents that swift action was taken to restore the vital transport link.
NEDC Managing Director, Mohammed Goni Alkali, said the intervention was necessary to alleviate the hardship caused by the collapse of the bridge and to revive economic activities along the corridor.
He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to accelerating development projects in Taraba State and the wider North-East region.
Beyond the Namnai Bridge, the delegation also inspected and commissioned multi billion naira projects across the nooks and crannies of the state.
Some of the commissioned projects
include an Institute of Entrepreneurship Building, a renovated and equipped 60-bed male and female ward.
Three two-bedroom staff quarters, perimeter fencing, three boreholes and solar-powered streetlights, were also commissioned at the General hospital, Zing.
Also in Wukari local government council, the NEDC who inspected a Mega School project comprising four blocks of 12 classrooms each, four units of two-bedroom apartments, a gatehouse and fence, an administrative block and a commercial centre, was observed to have also established an ICT Centre at Federal University Wukari, featuring a graphic design classroom equipped with 50 computers and a phone repairs classroom supplied with repair kits.
In Wukari local government council, the NEDC who also inspected a Mega School project comprising four blocks of 12 classrooms each, four units of two-bedroom apartments, a gatehouse and fence, an administrative block and a commercial centre, was observed to have also established an ICT Centre at Federal University Wukari, featuring a graphic design classroom equipped with 50 computers and a phone repairs classroom supplied with repair kits.
Other projects inspected include completed housing units under the NEDC Mass Housing Scheme in Wukari, construction of a six-unit 3m x 3m box culvert along the Suntai–Donga Road, and the ongoing construction of the 160-metre, eight-span River Bantaje Bridge along the Wukari–Donga Road, which includes a four-kilometre approach road, among others.
The commission reiterated its resolve to continue delivering infrastructure and development initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth and improving living conditions across Taraba State and the North-East.
Beneficiaries who spoke during the visits, particularly residents of Namnai community, welcomed the intervention and expressed optimism that the projects would ease transportation challenges and enhance socio-economic activities in the affected areas.
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