By Israel Bulus
In a recent development, gully erosion has caused a major disruption along the Tsoriyang bridge on the Zonkwa-Madakiya road, which serves as a vital link between various communities and Kafanchan town, the headquarters of Jema’a Local Government Area in Kaduna State.
Yabo Ephraim, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Executive Chairman of Zango Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna, issued a statement on Sunday highlighting the challenges posed by the damaged bridge, making it impassable for motorists.
Ephraim also urged commuters to consider alternative routes for their safety.
It is worth noting that the Zonkwa-Madakiya road is a crucial and expedient route for accessing Jema’a Local Government Area.
In response to the situation, Francis Sani Zimbo, the Council Chairman, has called for patience from the affected communities as efforts are being made to rectify the setback caused by the collapsed bridge. Zimbo also appeals to well-meaning individuals to come together and contribute towards finding solutions to this challenge.
A local resident, Mr. Isaac Ishaku, expressed his concern over the delay in intervention by the relevant authorities, which ultimately led to the complete collapse of the bridge.
He stated, “We foresaw this problem, but to our surprise, no action was taken by the authorities to mitigate the erosion threat. It all began as a small pothole near the bridgehead, but this year, unprecedented floods have accelerated the erosion menace.”
Ishaku further emphasized the significance of this route, stating, “This is the busiest route used by our people, including those traveling from Kaduna en route to Kafanchan town.”
The impact of this erosion-induced bridge collapse highlights the urgent need for immediate action to restore connectivity and ensure the safety of commuters in the affected areas.