Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has again appealed to the Federal Government to hasten up its intervention on the federal roads across the state in order to ease the people’s hardship.
The Governor made the call when he had on the spot assessment of the collapsed bridge at Gulbin Boka community in Mariga Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Sani-Bello who emphasised the economic importance of the road to the state as well as the entire country, directed the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructural Development to immediately mobilize contractors to site to fix the collapsed bridge in the next 24 hours.
Alhaji Sani-Bello said “This road is of great economic importance to us as a state and the country as a whole, it is of great economic importance to us as it is a federal road that links the state to Kebbi, Sokoto States as well as Niger Republic”.
” Even though contract for rehabilitation of the bridge has been awarded by the Federal Government, we cannot wait. We therefore appealed to the federal government to expedite action on the federal government roads in the state.
I have directed the Ministry of Works to ensure that the bridge is rehabilitated to ease the suffering of the people. ”
The Governor however assured the people of the community that his administration remains committed to providing sustainable road infrastructure for the people, he then called on them as well as other road users to be patient with the government as efforts were on to ensure that the road is fixed immediately.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, Alh. Ibrahim Balarabe said that the Ministry would temporarily move its office to the affected area in order to ensure quick rehabilitation of the collapsed bridge and also appealed to the people of the community to exercise patience as the bridge would soon be made motorable for users .
Meanwhile, Chairman, Mariga Local Government , Barr. Abdullahi Sarkin Daji and the Village Head of Gulbin Boka Mal. Muhammad Zarumi commended Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello for the prompt action.
The Governor was accompanied by Sen. Bala Ibn Na’allah, Sen.Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Hon Shehu Slow,the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, Alh. Ibrahim Balarabe, Federal Comptroller Works, Engr. Iheanacho Felix Umeh and Director, Civil Engineer, Ministry of Works, Engr. Ahmed Tanko.