By Muh'd Shafi'u Saleh Following the collapse of the main bridge on the Numan-Gombe highway, the Member of the House of Representati...
By Muh'd Shafi'u Saleh
Following the collapse of the main bridge on the Numan-Gombe highway, the Member of the House of Representatives for Numan/Demsa/Lamurde Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Kwamoti B. La'ori, has raised an urgent matter before the House of Representatives, calling for immediate action to repair the bridge.
Presenting the request on Wednesday, 9th October 2024, Rt. Hon. La'ori stated, “The heavy downpours that caused flooding in parts of Adamawa State also washed out the bridge in the Boshikiri community along the Numan-Gombe Road on Thursday, 19th September 2024. This has led to a complete halt in vehicular movement along the axis for days, with adverse effects on socio-economic activities in the northeast sub-region."
He further explained that, “The temporary alternative route provided for stranded commuters was completely destroyed on Sunday, 6th October 2024, leaving no alternative for travelers to and from Gombe State and other northeastern states due to the continued heavy rains and severe flooding in the area."
Rt. Hon. La'ori emphasized that the collapse of the bridge has not only disrupted commercial activities but has also caused significant losses, including human casualties, animal fatalities, and damage to goods. He stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “Trucks transporting animals and perishable goods have been stranded, and patients with emergency medical needs risk dying on the spot.”
Additionally, La'ori expressed concern over the prolonged delay in completing the Lafiya-Gombe highway.
“The Numan-Lafiya portion of the ongoing Numan-Gombe road construction has dragged on for nearly a decade, despite receiving budgetary allocations every year. The worst-hit areas, from the washed-out bridge to Lafiya-Lamurde, pose a major setback for commuters and businesses. If the pace of the road project is not accelerated, the socio-economic prosperity of the northeast sub-region will continue to suffer," he emphasized.
In response, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, directed the Committee on Works to ensure the speedy reconstruction of the collapsed bridge and to address the delays in completing the Numan-Gombe road project. The goal is to ensure the safety of Nigerians and to boost the economic prosperity of the northeast and the nation as a whole.
No comments