"Birnin Kebbi-Makera Road Destroyed by Flooding; Governor Orders Fix"

By Umar Faruk Birnin Kebbi

The ever-busy Birnin Kebbi - Makera - international road, linking Kebbi to the border with the Republic of Niger, has been washed away by flooding.

Consequently, Governor Nasir Idris has given the Commissioner for Works, urgent order to engage a professional company for an immediate assessment of repairs and rehabilitation to restore the road to vehicular traffic.

Inspecting the bad portion of the road this Wednesday, the Governor directed the submission of a cost estimate for work between now and Thursday, for his approval.

"This road is not only important to Kebbi state but also to the whole nation, its economic benefits are unquantifiable," Governor Idris said. "Go and engage a company and follow due process, mobilize necessary professionals to do this job. Submit the cost to me between now and tomorrow, I'll approve it. I'm ready to pay 50% mobilization fees instantaneous to rescue the road from further harm."

Comrade Nasir Idris affirmed the unwavering commitment of his administration to do the needful always, for the wellbeing of Kebbi people. He directed the Commissioner and other stakeholders to keep him constantly informed about areas of intervention and action by government, saying that even as Governor, "I may not know everything."

The Governor recalled that the administration faced challenges last rainy season as a result of the collapse of some roads and bridges, which the government was determined to avoid this year.

"Is it the engineering work that's defective for future durability?" Governor Nasir remarked. "We must ensure standard quality job in all our projects without compromise."

The Commissioner for Works, Engr. Abdullahi Umar Faruq Muslim, briefed the Governor on what led to the collapse of the road, saying that the non-provision of relief culverts diverted the rainwater to wash away the spot where it cut off.

The Commissioner immediately swung into action in compliance with the Governor's directive for immediate repairs of the bad section of the road.

Kebbi Deputy Governor, Sen. Umar Abubakar Tafida, accompanied the Governor on the inspection visit.