Kogi senator promises rehabilitation of Pakuta Bridge

The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district, Sunday Karimi, has promised to intervene in reconstructing the collapsed Pakuta Bridge in Bunuland, Kabbabunu Council, Kogi State.

The road links Aiyegunle-Gbede in Ijumu Council to Kiri Kingdom in Kabbabunu Council. It also connects Kupa North and South, including Eggan communities in Lokoja Local Council.

With the lawmaker’s projected intervention, residents along the axis have expressed hopes that the all-important road, which disconnected communities in the area leading to neighbouring Niger State, will be motorable again.

The Guardian gathered that the project was initially awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited, a construction company, and was abandoned due to improper funding by the Federal Government, leading to a total collapse.

Aside from cutting off communities along the road, economically, its deplorable condition has negatively affected residents whose major source of livelihood is agriculture as commuting their produce became a challenge.

Professor Olu Obafemi, a renowned University Don, and former President, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) confirmed that Senator Karimi has offered to take up the immediate reconstruction of the bridge, valued by a committee of experts, stakeholders, and community representatives at N17m for the immediate commencement of works.

Obafemi thanked Karimi for his “profound intervention” and assured the Senator of the committee’s commitment to monitor the reconstruction work.