The presidency has directed the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to rebuild the collapsed Wagga-Madagali bridge, a vital link between Borno and Adamawa.
NEDC Managing Director Goni Alkali announced this during an assessment visit to the area on Sunday, stating that the bridge was destroyed by severe flooding, cutting off transactions between the two states.
According to Alkali, the commission has begun assessing the situation and working on a solution to ease commuters’ difficulties. Triacta Construction Company has been engaged to survey the bridge and develop a rebuilding plan.
The bridge’s collapse has severed the link between the two states, causing significant challenges for goods and services movement. Alkali expressed concern, noting that goods must now be offloaded and reloaded at each end of the waterway between the states.
The bridge is crucial for connecting northern Adamawa to southern Borno and is highly valued by local residents. Alkali also inspected ongoing projects in the area and warned that other bridges on the Madagali roads are under threat from flooding, requiring urgent attention to prevent their collapse.
In an interview, Alkali highlighted the NEDC’s commitment to restoring and developing the region after years of Boko Haram insurgency, citing previous projects such as the construction of major bridges and roads in Adamawa.