North East Development Commission, NEDC, has decried the collapse of major bridges in the North-East region.
Managing Director of the commission, Mohammed Alkali, attributed this phenomenon to the effects of climate change.
He made the statement yesterday at Namnai, Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, while assessing the aftermath of the recent flood that washed away a major bridge connecting Taraba North to the South.
Commuters along the route now use ferries to connect the other side of the washed-away bridge, at a cost of N5000 per bus crossing.
During the inspection, Alkali noted that the North-East region is the most affected by climate change and its components, which has put significant pressure on government and inhabitants of the region.
However, he assured that the commission would not be deterred and would work with the respective state governments to find lasting solutions to the recurrent bridge collapse.
According to him, “Flood washing away bridges was not the case ten to twenty years ago, but today, climate change is a reality.
“Bridge collapse in the North-East is now endemic. I was in Adamawa State two weeks ago for the same problem.
“Bauchi has its own share, so is Gombe. Now we have also seen the same problem in Taraba where some bridges were washed away few days ago.
“Right now we have to sit down and look at the problem comprehensively and provide solutions that would be durable for the future.
“It will be a collaborative work with state governments so that our people can heave a sigh of relief.”
