The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (North Central), Mrs. Abiodun Essiet took her community engagements to Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State to assess the collapsed Bridge at Tukum Community connecting Shendam and Langtang North Local Government Areas for possible intervention by the Federal Government in order to address the adverse impact the situation has caused the movement of people, goods, and services between the two LGAs, causing significant disruptions in daily activities of the Citizens.
Mrs. Essiet in her remarks at the scene of the collapsed bridge hinted that the Federal Government is worried over the situation, stating that the collapse of the bridge was not just an infrastructural failure but a threat to the socio-economic well-being of the residents. She emphasized that the bridge played a vital role in linking the two local governments and facilitating trade, agriculture, and other economic activities that sustain the livelihood of the people.
She assured the residents that President Tinubu’s administration is prioritizing infrastructure repairs and development across the nation in order to address the infrastructural deficit being faced by the Citizens.
She said “The Federal Government is aware of the hardship this collapse has caused.”Restoring this bridge is crucial for reconnecting Shendam and Langtang North and reviving the flow of goods and services. We are committed to addressing this issue promptly.”
According to her, President Tinubu is concerned about revamping the economy to attract prosperity to the citizens. She said economic prosperity remains a priority to the President as he is working tirelessly to address the economic and security challenges bedevilling the Nation to stimulate economic growth and development.
In addition to her visit to the collapsed Shendam-Langtang bridge, Mrs. Essiet also inspected the Longvel bridge, which is located along Shendam Road and serves as a major route connecting Plateau State to Taraba State. She stressed the strategic importance of the Longvel bridge, noting that it is a lifeline for the people of Plateau and Taraba who rely on it for transportation, trade, and cross-border interactions.
She expressed the government’s resolve to ensure that both bridges are given speedy attention by being rehabilitated.
“The Longvel bridge is critical not only for the people of Shendam but for the entire region, as it links Plateau with Taraba State. We understand that this bridge supports economic activities between the two states, and the Federal Government will ensure that repairs are carried out swiftly,” Mrs. Essiet stated during her visit to the scene.
Mrs. Essiet further highlighted the importance of community engagement, urging the residents of Shendam and Langtang North Local Government Areas to remain united, be patient and continue to collaborate with local authorities while the government work to address their concerns.
She pointed out that infrastructure development is a key pillar of President Tinubu’s administration, and rural communities like Tukum would not be left behind in the government’s plans.She assured the communities with the collapsed Bridges that the Federal Government would expedite the process of mobilizing resources for the repair of the bridges.
She stated that Engineers and construction Teams would soon be deployed to the sites to begin the necessary work, and also hinted that the Federal government remain committed to finding long-term solutions for the community infrastructure challenges.
She also emphasized that the Tinubu-led administration remain dedicated to building resilient infrastructures that would stand the test of time. She mentioned that proper assessments would be carried out to ensure that the new structures are durable and capable of withstanding future challenges, adding that the safety and well-being of the people were of utmost importance to the government.
She admonished Nigerians to pray for President Tinubu’s and be supportive to him as he work to fix the challenges being faced in the Country.
The Executive Chairman of Shendam LGA, Hon. Nicholas Nshe Kemi who was represented by His deputy chairman expressed his appreciation to Mrs. Essiet for her visit and the Federal Government’s attention to their plights. He explained how the collapse of the Shendam-Langtang bridge has adversely affected the people, isolating their communities, disrupting the transportation of farm produce and essential goods. They appealed for the swift commencement of repairs to prevent further losses.
Highlights of the visit were visit to the Long Gamai of Shendam Miskoom Martin Mudu’utrie Shaldas III, fruitful engagement with stakeholders and visits to the scene of the collapsed bridges.
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