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I Don’t Expect Refund of Money Spent to Repair Rara Bridge – Sen. Aliero
By JAMEEL GULMA, Kebbi
The Illela-Sokoto-Kontagora road is a critical route that connects the people of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Niger States, as well as neighboring countries like Niger and Benin Republic.
It is one of the busiest roads in the northwest zone of Nigeria.
This year, due to heavy rainfall and severe flooding, the embankment of the Rara Bridge was completely washed away, severing the road and making vehicular movement impossible. As a result, traffic was diverted through a longer route via Koko-Zagga-Dakin Gari-Bunza-Kalgo, adding over 300 kilometers to the journey, compared to the usual 100 kilometers to Birnin Kebbi.
Vehicles traveling to Sokoto, Zamfara, and parts of Katsina State were similarly affected. Following numerous requests for intervention, I contacted the Federal Controller of Works in Kebbi State to initiate emergency repairs. He assigned a contractor to the project, but due to ongoing flooding and mudslides, the contractor had to withdraw.
As the situation became more urgent, I personally stepped in to hire another contractor with the necessary capacity to handle the repairs. Using my own resources, I mobilized a contractor already engaged by the Federal Ministry of Works. Within a week, the contractor deployed excavators, graders, and bulldozers to the site and successfully repaired the bridge.
This personal initiative has greatly alleviated the hardship faced by commuters, reducing both travel time and fuel costs. However, I am not expecting any refund or compensation from the Federal Government for this effort. My primary concern is to ease the suffering of the people, “he said”
Nevertheless, I urge the Federal Ministry of Works to reinforce this repair by stone-pitching the damaged embankment to prevent future collapses.
Furthermore, other bridges in Kebbi State, such as the Hutawa, Tuga, Tondi, and Argungu bridges, are in dire need of repair. I call on the Ministry to act swiftly in implementing remedial measures to avoid further infrastructure collapse.
