The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved emergency work on the Dogon Gada box culvert, which stands on the brink of collapse.
The Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Felix Abuah, confirmed the development.
This approval by the minister follows an exclusive report by Housing TV Africa in April, on the decaying bridge.
Abuah said that the minister’s approval was in response to the call to renew the hope of the affected commuters in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
READ ALSO: FCTA to Waive Taxes for Diplomatic Missions in Abuja, Says Wike
The culvert, situated on the access road linking over 3,000 residents of Lokogoma village, also known as Dogon Gida community, to Ring Road II, has posed significant risks to commuters. During the rainy season, community members face the peril of flooding while attempting to cross the culvert due to its low elevation.
Housing TV Africa recalls that on April 7, the FCT Emergency Management Department took the proactive step of barricading the box culvert to prevent potential loss of lives.
Director of Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation at the FCT Emergency Management Department, Florence Wenegieme who barricaded the culvert, described its condition as a disaster waiting to happen. She identified it as one of the vulnerable locations in the FCT, particularly susceptible to flooding during the rainy season.
READ ALSO: Wike Appoints Secretary For FCT Civil Service Commission
Similarly, the Ward Head of Lokogoma Village, Irimiya Kanpani, had appealed to the Federal Government, the FCT Minister, and the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council for assistance. Kanpani recounted that the culvert was constructed in 2016 through community efforts. He noted that every year, community members pooled resources to maintain the culvert until its recent deterioration.
According to him, tragedy strikes annually as community members lose loved ones to flooding while attempting to cross the culvert during the rainy season.
The approval for emergency action by Minister Wike reflects the government’s commitment to addressing infrastructure challenges and ensuring the safety of citizens.