The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has announced plans to reconstruct a vital bridge connecting Goza, Maiduguri, and Madagali in Adamawa State, which recently collapsed due to heavy rainfall on July 15th.
The disaster has left the Madagali community devastated, with their farms submerged and residents facing significant hardships.
Mohammed Alkali Goni, the Managing Director of NEDC, called the incident “unfortunate” and revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed the commission to act swiftly.
The President’s mandate includes the immediate reconstruction of the bridge to alleviate the difficulties faced by the community.
During a recent site assessment, Goni stated that temporary measures would be implemented to ensure continued access for travelers from Borno and local community members.
He also highlighted that the project would extend to other connecting culverts to prevent further loss of life.
In addition to his visit to the collapsed bridge, Goni inspected the Wotto Bridge, near Madagali, which has also suffered erosion damage.
He reassured the community of a permanent solution to the issues affecting their infrastructure.
Community members, including Matthew Zagi, shared their experiences of the bridge collapse.
Zagi lamented that the collapse has stranded residents, disrupted daily activities, and caused extensive damage to farmland.
He urged the government to prioritize the reconstruction as a matter of urgency.
Yahaya Aliyu noted that while the situation has caused significant suffering, it has also provided some employment opportunities for local residents through minor repair jobs.
