Koroduma Bridge Will Reduce Hardship, Reconnect The People When Completed-Assembly

Rabiu Omaku

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Urban Development has appealed to the State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule to as a matter of urgency complete the construction of Koroduma Bridge in Karu Local Government Area to reduce hardship as well as enhance the socio-economic activities of the area.

The committee said, the construction of the bridge, if completed would reduce the hardship being faced by the people of the area when crossing to other communities essentially during raining season.

Hon. Musa Saidu Gude, the Chairman of the Committee appealed while inspecting the ongoing construction of the bridge in Koroduma village, Karu Local Government, The gateway to the Federal Capital Territory.

Noting that the bridge aside dividing  Koroduma community, posed danger to the inhabitants as school pupils were seen taking the risk to cross the stream despite the volume of water.

“We are here to see things for ourselves, the construction of this bridge particularly.

“Yesterday, the contractor appeared before us in the House, and after his explanation, we decided to come to the site, hence the need for this visit.

“As you can see, the lack of completion of the bridge is making pupils, students, and other people enter water while crossing to their Houses.

“It is given this, that we are appealing to Governor Abdullahi Sule to come to the aid of the community by releasing funds for the completion of the bridge,” he said.

Hon. Saidu said that when the construction of the bridge is completed, it would not only connect Koroduma communities with other towns but would also improve the standard of living of the people.

He urged the contractor to deliver quality jobs when funds are released.

Hon. Saidu commended Governor  Abdullahi Sule for his efforts in developing the State.

On his part, Mr Charbel El Tekli of Wakema Construction Company Ltd, the Contractor handling the construction of the bridge said that the contract was awarded in January 2023 at the cost of over N300 million.

He commended Governor. Sule and the committee for being up and doing in developing the State.

Saying that the lack of release of funds halted the work, He however appealed to the committee to intervene to enable the State Government to release funds to him to complete the bridge.

On their part, Hon. Suleiman Azara, Hon Barr. Esson Mairiga, Hon Jacob Kudu, Hon Dr Peter Akwe, and Hon Hudu A Hudu also sympathized with   Koroduma community and appealed to the State Government to come to their aid by constructing the bridge.

They further urged the contractor to continue to maintain standards, adding that what the committee want is a bridge that will stand the test of time.

Engineer Abdulwahab Ayuba, a stakeholder of the community appreciated the committee for the visit and prayed God to bless them abundantly.

He said that their daily activities stopped any day it rains due to floods occasioned by the abandoned project.

He appealed to the Government through the committee to complete the construction of the bridge.

In a related development, the committee visited the Karu Zonal Office of NUDB to interface with the management and staff of the board to know their successes and challenges.

“We are here to do our job as enshrined in the constitution. We are here to interface with you, and to know your successes and challenges.

“And to ensure that the right things are done for the overall development of NUDB and the State at large,” he said.

He urged the management of the board to be more proactive for effective service delivery.

The lawmakers assured of the committee’s support to uplift the Karu Zonal Office and NUDB as a whole.

Earlier, Town Planner Ahmed Ibrahim, Assistant General Manager of NUDB who is in charge of Karu Zonal Office appreciated the committee for the visit and assured of their continued readiness to do the right things at all times.

He also appreciated Abdullahi Sule for his efforts in developing urban and other areas of the state

The AGM assured of their commitment to continue to create an enabling environment for effective service delivery.