Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y Suleiman (Dangaladiman Ningi) has visited the scene of the collapsing bridge along Bauchi-Ningi-Kano road at Tsangaya village of Ningi Local Government which links Bauchi State to many northwestern States for assessments.
The Speaker who was in company of Permanent Secretary Bauchi State Ministry of Works, officials of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Triacta Nigeria Limted, sympathized with residents and motorists who gathered at the scene.
He announced that Governor Bala Mohammad has ordered the immediate repair of the bridge.
“Although this is federal road, His Excellency Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad has already directed Triacta Nigeria Limited to immediately mobilize to site for the repair of the bridge.
“I spoke with MD of the Company and he assured me that work will commence here latest this evening or early morning tomorrow.
“Months ago I have personally written to FERMA to intervene on this road by expanding and constructing concrete shoulders from Gadar Maiwa to Tsangaya to eradicate erosion threatening the road. With this ugly development, I hope they will swiftly respond.” The Speaker said.
Rt. Hon. Abubakar Suleiman explained that the road is one of the most important and strategic roads in the State that links Bauchi State with Kano and many parts of the Country and and the commercial corridor of the State, thus needs special attention from both federal and State Governments.
On the activities of farmers and telecommunication service providers who FERMA officials said are some of the causes of soil erosion and bridges collapse on the road, the Speaker pledged that the State House of Assembly will come up with laws to protect roads against erosion, destructions and encroachment across the State.
Speaker Abubakar who advocate for tree planting beside all roads in the State to prevent soil erosion and desertification, advised farmers and telecommunication service providers to desist from activities that will affect roads.