Plateau raises alarm over deplorable bridges, as FG begins work on Taraba’s

The Plateau State Government yesterday raised concerns over what it described as deteriorating condition of five major federal government bridges located in the southern part of the state. The government warned that the bridges were on the brink of collapse and required urgent emergency intervention. The alarm was raised during an inspection tour of the […]

The Plateau State Government yesterday raised concerns over what it described as deteriorating condition of five major federal government bridges located in the southern part of the state.

The government warned that the bridges were on the brink of collapse and required urgent emergency intervention.

The alarm was raised during an inspection tour of the affected bridges led by the Commissioner for Works, Joshua Ubandoma Laven, alongside other top government officials.

The bridges identified include Longvel, along the Shendam-Yelwa Ibi road in Shendam Local Government Area; Kufai-Yelwa bridge on the Yelwa–Garkawa road in Shendam Local Government Area, and Bakwai bridge, along the Langtang–Zamko–Garkawa road in Langtang North Local Government Area.

Others are Bailey bridges, along the Langtang–Wase road in Langtang North Local Government Area, Jarmai bridge, along the Dengi–Bashar road in Kanam Local Government Area; and the Bauchi road bridge in Jos North Local Government Area.

Speaking during the inspection, Laven explained that Longvel bridge, constructed several decades ago, had suffered extensive structural damage due to repeated flooding over the years.

Meanwhile, reconstruction work has commenced on the collapsed Namnai bridge, along the Wukari-Jalingo federal road in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari, during a visit to the site yesterday, said contract for the reconstruction of the bridge was awarded by the North-East Development Commission in December last year.

He said the contractor had mobilised to site in January this year and assured that the reconstruction works on the bridge would be completed at the end of December this year.