Kaduna residents seek government intervention over collapsing bridge

Residents of Nuhu Yahaya Street in Angwan Sunday, Kaduna metropolis, have appealed to Governor Uba Sani and relevant elected representatives to urgently rehabilitate a deteriorating bridge linking the community with neighbouring areas, warning that its continued neglect could result in a collapse with serious consequences for public safety.

The residents said the worsening condition of the bridge had become a source of concern, as it was disrupting movement and exposing motorists, pedestrians and schoolchildren to difficulties while using the route. Blueprint reports

Speaking with journalists in Kaduna, Chairman of the community committee, Sebastian Michael, called on the state government, their representative in the House of Representatives and other relevant authorities to intervene before the structure collapses completely.

Bridge links major communities

Michael described the bridge as a critical access route connecting Television, Banawa and High Cross Junction, noting that its rehabilitation would improve mobility and ease transportation for residents of the surrounding communities.

He said the bridge had served the area for several years but had deteriorated to a condition requiring urgent government attention.

According to him, residents had made repeated efforts to address the infrastructure challenge through community initiatives but lacked the financial resources required for major rehabilitation.

“Our best cannot be good enough to build the bridge. You can see it is at the verge of collapse. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid because it is very necessary at this point,” he said.

Michael, who disclosed that he had lived in the area since 1974, urged the authorities to treat the rehabilitation as an emergency, warning that further delay could expose residents to avoidable danger.

He said the bridge’s importance to movement within the community made government intervention necessary to prevent a possible breakdown of access between the adjoining neighbourhoods.

Residents lament repeated appeals

Also speaking, a traditional title holder in the community, known as Dakechi, Mr Iliya Aliko, said residents had repeatedly drawn the attention of local government authorities to the deteriorating condition of the road and bridge.

Aliko disclosed that government officials had visited the area to assess the situation following the complaints.

However, he said residents were yet to witness concrete intervention capable of addressing the problem.

The community leader appealed to the relevant authorities to move beyond inspection and take practical steps towards rehabilitating the infrastructure before the situation worsens.

He said the continued deterioration had become a concern for residents who depend on the route for their daily activities.

Schoolchildren, commuters face difficulties

A resident, Mrs Martha James Bakam, who said she had lived in the community for about 30 years, also called for urgent government action, particularly because of the difficulties schoolchildren encounter while using the route.

Bakam said she had personally witnessed children struggling to cross the affected area, expressing concern that the condition of the bridge could expose them to danger.

She added that the poor state of the road and bridge had affected residents’ access to markets and other essential services, making routine movement increasingly difficult.

According to her, the infrastructure challenge extends beyond inconvenience, as residents rely on the route to reach important destinations within and outside the community.

Bakam disclosed that residents had previously reported the situation to relevant authorities and submitted a written appeal seeking government intervention.

She urged the state government to give the community’s request the necessary attention, stressing that the rehabilitation of the bridge and adjoining road would improve safety and ease movement for residents.

Community renews call for intervention

The residents urged Governor Uba Sani, their elected representatives and other relevant stakeholders to urgently rehabilitate the bridge and adjoining road before further deterioration creates a more serious situation.

They stressed that the route remains essential to the daily movement of people within Angwan Sunday and neighbouring communities, warning that a possible collapse could disrupt access and compound the difficulties already being experienced.

The community appealed for timely intervention to restore safe passage, improve connectivity and prevent residents, particularly schoolchildren and other vulnerable road users, from being exposed to avoidable risks.