The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has declared the collapse of major bridges in the North East region as endemic.
Managing Director of the Commission, Mohammed Alkali, attributed this phenomenon to the effects of climate change.

He made this statement on Friday at Namnai, Gassol local government area of Taraba state while assessing the aftermath of the recent flood that washed away a major bridge connecting Taraba North to the South.

READ ALSO: Bandits kill man, abduct wife, kids

READ ALSO: PSC promotes eight CP, 684 other senior police officers

Commuters along the route now use ferries to connect the other side of the washed-away bridge, at a cost of N5000 per bus crossing.
During the inspection, Alkali noted that the North East region is the most affected by climate change and its components, which has put significant pressure on both the government and inhabitants of the region.

However, he assured that the commission would not be deterred and would work with the respective state governments to find lasting solutions to the recurrent bridge collapse across the region.
According to him, “Flood washing away bridges was not the case ten to twenty years ago, but today climate change is a reality.

“Bridge collapsing in the North East is now endemic.
“I was in Adamawa state two weeks ago for the same problem.
“Bauchi has its own share, so is Gombe. Now we have also seen the same problem in Taraba where some bridges were washed away few days ago.
“Right now we have to sit down and look at the problem comprehensively and provide solutions that would be durable for the future.
“It will be a collaborative work with the state governments so our people can heave a sigh of relief.”