Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, has confirmed the collapse of Kebbe Bridge, linking Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States with the Southern part of the country.
The bridge was said to have given way due to the effects of flood and pressure of heavy duty vehicles moving goods, especially food stuffs from the North to the Southern part of the country.
Governor Idris during a visit to the collapsed bridge called on the Federal Government to urgently come to the rescue of the North for the repair of the bridge.
Idris, who made the plea during the inspection tour to the collapsed bridge on Monday, observed that the collapse of the bridge would affect a lot of traders and farmers in the country.
“I am calling on the federal government, especially the minister of works, to urgently assist and rescue the affected business people as the road is the only one that links Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Niger with Southern Nigeria.
“The bridge, which collapsed on Sunday night is under Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State en route to Niger State, linking the Southern part of the country to the Northwest region,” he said.
The governor observed that repair of the collapsed bridge was critical in view of the fact that many businesses in the two regions would definitely suffer setbacks in the movements of goods and services.
At the moment, he noted with dismay that motorists plying the route have no option than to follow a very long distance route through Dakingari in Suru local government area of Kebbi State.
Gov. Idris stressed the need for the federal ministry of works to expedite action in repairing the collapsed bridge to save many businesses from collapse.
The governor also advocated for routine maintenance of all federal roads and bridges to avoid repeat of similar incidents.
The Governor was accompanied by the Secretary to Kebbi State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, Acting Head of Service, Hajiya A’isha Usman, Commissioner of Information and Culture, Hon. Yakubu Ahmed-BK, Commissioner of Works, Hon. Abdullahi Umar Faruk Muslim, Commissioner of Religious Affairs, Hon. Mohammed Sani Aliyu, among others.