Minister of State for Regional Development, Hon. Alhaji Uba Ahmadu Maigari, has praised the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for the rapid rehabilitation of two major bridges and road networks destroyed by the devastating September 2024 floods in Borno State.
During a two-day working visit to Maiduguri on Tuesday, the minister inspected the ongoing reconstruction of the Fori Bridge, a nine-span, 180-metre structure, and the Moromoro Bridge, a six-span, 120-metre bridge. Both projects, located in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Areas, were washed away during last year’s flooding.
Maigari also visited a 250-bed students’ hostel under construction by the NEDC at Mohammed Lawan College of Agriculture, Maiduguri.
He described the projects as critical infrastructure that would improve the lives of residents, restore economic activities and enhance access to essential public services.
According to the minister, the Federal Government remains committed to addressing the unique developmental challenges facing communities across the North-East through strategic infrastructure projects.
He noted that restoring the Fori and Moromoro bridges would reconnect communities and improve access to schools, healthcare facilities, workplaces and commercial centres.
“I want to commend the management team of the NEDC for taking up this huge responsibility. I know how difficult it has been, having surmounted numerous obstacles that we do not have to mention, before getting the Fori Bridge to this level.”
He added: “The projects are in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Federal Government’s North-East Stabilisation Programme.”
Speaking after inspecting the Moromoro Bridge, Maigari expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, noting that the commission was delivering impactful infrastructure projects across the six North-East states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.
He described the Moromoro Bridge as a strategic economic asset with regional importance.
“This is one project that is very dear to the people of Maiduguri and Borno State in general. It has an international component, as well as being a significant trade hub and a road opening up to neighbouring countries.
“We can only imagine the trade that goes on here. I am pleased to say that the President and the Vice-President have this state at heart. That is why we are putting in place critical infrastructure for the people,” Ahmadu said.
The Managing Director of the NEDC, Ambassador Mohammed Goni Alkali, said the commission was currently constructing about 40 bridges across the six states in the North-East as part of efforts to improve connectivity and accelerate regional development.
“As of the time of our last count, about 40 bridges are being constructed by the commission across the six states of the North East. Our mission is to ease the lives of the people of the region,” Alkali said.
Providing an update on the Fori Bridge project, the project’s consultant, Mr. Kori Shettima, disclosed that the bridge, located in Galtimari Ward, had reached 84 per cent completion.
He explained that the remaining work includes approximately 200 metres of road construction and drainage installations, which are being executed simultaneously ahead of the bridge’s commissioning.
As part of his visit, the minister is also expected to commission a fertility centre built by the NEDC at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital before concluding his official tour of Borno State.
