Photo: The collapsed Total Bridge in Shendam metropolis.
Gov Mutfwang decries perennial Shendam bridge collapse, promises immediate reconstruction
Gov Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, has expressed dismay over the collapse of a bridge, popularly called Total Bridge, in Shendam town of Shendam Local Government Area of the state.
Periscope International recalls that the bridge, which is known to have been perennially collapsing for decades during rainy season due to official sharp practices and shabby contract execution, once again recently collapsed following a downpour which culminated in flooding.
The Governor, while expressing his concern over the endless spate of collapse of the bridge over the years in a statement on Tuesday, described the incident as distressing and unfortunate, especially considering the significant challenges it has imposed on the people, who rely on the bridge for ease of their transportation, farming and other businesses.
Mutfwang said that he was not unmindful of the hardship faced by the affected communities over the incident, and assured the people of the area that the state government would immediately reconstruct the collapsed bridge in order to restore connectivity to the impacted communities and restore economic activities in the area.
The Governor also observed with concern the unfortunate recurrence of the collapse of the bridge, which was originally built in the 1970s, adding that there was a need to permanently fix it by ensuring that its reconstruction is executed by proven reliable hands in order to safeguard it from the agony of further structural failures.
Mutfwang noted that there was an urgent need to ensure efficiency in government contracts to forestall reoccurrence, as well as deliver value and the dividends of democracy to the people.
While urging caution among the citizenry over predicted flooding in parts of the state, the Governor expressed gratitude that the incident did not result in any loss of life.
The Governor urged the people to adhere to the alternative routes provided to commuters by the government, while it worked assiduously towards fixing the bridge.
