Managing Director of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, says climate change is responsible for incessant collapse of bridges in the region.
Alkali stated this on Friday, August 30, 2024, while on the assessment of the collapse bridge at Namnai, along Jalingo-Wukari Road in the Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The bridge which connects Taraba north to the south collapsed following a heavy downpour recently, which caused a flash flood in some parts of the state.
During the inspection, Alkali noted that the North East region was the most affected by climate change and its components, which has put significant pressure on both the government and inhabitants of the region.
He, however, assured the people that the commission would not be deterred and would work with the respective state governments to find lasting solutions to the ugly incidents across the region.
“Flood washing away bridges was not the case in the region 10 to 20 years back, but today climate change is a reality,” Alkali said.
The team also visited various ongoing projects, including mass housing in the Taraba State College of Education at Zing and Staff quarters at the General Hospital, Zing.
Others are the Institute for Entrepreneurship in the Taraba State University Jalingo (TSU), solar borehole in the same TSU and the NEDC’s office complex in Jalingo.
Alkali, who said he was satisfied with the quality of the ongoing works, urged contractors to redouble their efforts to ensure early completion of the projects.
By Martins Abochol
