President Bola Tinubu has authorized the immediate reconstruction of the Wagga Bridge, which connects Adamawa and Borno states, as announced by Mohammed Goni, Director-General of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), on Sunday.
Goni made the announcement during an inspection of the bridge, which collapsed for the second time in two months.
The bridge, located in the Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa, had previously experienced damage earlier this year.
“Two months ago, we assessed the damage from the initial collapse and committed to addressing the issue,” Goni said.
“However, before we could begin repairs, the bridge collapsed again. President Tinubu’s approval for immediate reconstruction will help alleviate the hardships faced by travelers.”
Goni noted that while rainfall might delay the start of reconstruction work, alternative measures will be implemented to ensure smooth traffic flow.
“Currently, travelers coming from Maiduguri are facing disruptions. We will explore solutions to ease their journey while reconstruction plans are underway,” he added.
In addition to the bridge reconstruction, Goni assured that other damaged culverts along the road would also be repaired.
Residents reported that the bridge was washed away by heavy rainfall on Thursday afternoon.
They are experiencing significant challenges, including difficulties in reaching markets in Goza, Borno, and problems for Borno residents crossing into Adamawa.
They have called on federal and state governments for urgent assistance, particularly as harvest season approaches and farmers face obstacles in transporting their produce.
