Following the heavy downpour within the week, the Katarko bridge that links three states in the Northeastern part of Nigeria has collapsed, forcing motorists to take alternative routes.
The bridge linked many parts of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states.
It was gathered that as of now, motorists coming from Biu to Maiduguri divert, and pass through Darazau or Bakoka towns of Gombe state before reaching Potiskum to Damaturu due to the inaccessibility of the road through the Katarko axis.
It was further learnt that motorists now cover over 500kms drive through another axis from Maiduguri -Damaturu- Biu road which is about 250kms drive.
Dr Mohammed Goje, Executive Secretary Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA described the incident as devastating, as motorists and passengers would encounter hardship before reaching their destinations.
“This is the bridge and only road linking Damaturu to Gujba, Gulani and Biu local government areas.
“Already there are incidences of Flooding in Mutai, Buni Yadi and Gulani Communities which calls for major concerns especially in Mutai.
“In the early hours of 30th August 2022, Yobe SEMA received sad news of Katarko Bridge being disconnected from the main road.
“Yobe SEMA has already reached out to the military to provide a barricade in Katarko as more civilians are trooping to the scene to avoid civilian casualty.
“While this may affect immediate life saving support to communities already affected by Flood and or recovering from conflict, Yobe State Government is improvising alternative routes to reach to persons of concern as well as reconnect the affected communities’ ‘.
“The Yobe State Government under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni is partnering with Save The Children International (SCI), a Non- Governmental Organization to support flood victims, as each household is to receive N33, 000 monthly for the period of five (5) months.
He said the victims are to be enrolled under the Yobe State Contributory Health Management Agency, YSCHMA to receive a prescribed package of healthcare services for one year.
Goje revealed that the gesture became necessary after a stakeholders meeting that his agency had with SCI in Damaturu, the state capital recently.
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