SPECIAL REPORT: How an abandoned bridge is compounding the plight of Borno residents

After Boko Haram insurgents destroyed the bridge connecting Limankara village in Borno State with Mubi in Adamawa in 2014, the federal government awarded a contract for its reconstruction. Ten years later, IMRAM RIDWAN undertook a fact-finding mission, and reported on how damaged bridges are now affecting the movement of agricultural products and transportation.

On a beautiful morning in May 2024, in Limankara village in Gwoza local government area of ​​Borno State, women, men and children were seen walking carrying hoes and machetes on their way to their fields.
Bulama Abba, the village chief, said it was “normal” to salute soldiers standing next to the unfinished bridge.
But for this reporter, it was a different experience; he was detained by a military man for five hours after giving a ‘salute’.

“What are you doing in Limankara Village? Who sent you? You are a member of Boko Haram; keep quiet, don’t say anything, and you will learn. Thankfully I was in a good mood; I will kill you, and no one will know,” the military officer shouted at reporters.

Bridge

Abba, 58, explained how Boko Haram insurgents destroyed the bridge and how it affected the movement of agricultural products and commuting.

“You see, one of the major problems we are facing in our community is this unfinished bridge, which is the basis of our problem. The bridge you see there was destroyed by Boko Haram because they did not want us to transport our farm produce to other communities, and that has cut us off from our neighboring villages. We were very happy when they started working on the bridge, but unfortunately, the project has been going on for four years and they have not completed the bridge,” he said.

“Farming is our pride; we cannot survive without farming. “Our agricultural products cannot be transported because we have difficulty transporting them, and attacks from Boko Haram continue,” he added.

Abandoned bridge project

English: According to a progress report obtained by UDEME at the ministry, on 15 January 2019, the Federal Ministry of Public Works and Housing approved the rehabilitation of three bridges damaged by rebels in the North East: Bridge at KM 131.5 Gamboru along Maiduguri-Dikwa -Gamboru, KM 133 Bridge in (Limankara Village), and KM 9 Bridge on Jalan Yamaltu-Deba, to Mr. SAPPERS ENGINEERING NIG. LTD, for the sum of N813 million.

Furthermore, the project duration of 8 months was extended to 23 months which will be completed on December 13, 2020.
According to the progress report, bridge repairs were awarded in 2019, and funds have been released for bridge reconstruction.

However, residents of Limankara Village still complain about the unfinished bridge in their village. Other bridges have been completed.
When this reporter visited Limankara Village in May, construction of the bridge appeared abandoned. There is still a lot of work to be done on the bridge even though it has been closed to the level of the highway. Cars are not allowed to pass through.

This project is intended to provide easy access to transport agricultural products and communities from Limankara to Gwoza, Maiduguri and Mubi. However, leaving it unresolved has caused untold hardship for residents and passengers.

Reaction

Musa Adamu, a 45-year-old farmer, expressed his frustration over the delay in the completion of the bridge project. He travels to Maiduguri once a week. He said the poor condition of the bridge is stressing him out and jeopardizing his business.

“You see, there are some instances where I cannot travel to Gwoza-Maiduguri from Limankara. I have to wait for days because if it rains heavily, the big trucks cannot pass under the bridge, and there will be no movement, everything will stop, most of the time, some farmers with perishable products will be frustrated,” he said.
He added that the delay in the bridge project was very disappointing and had a drastic impact on his farming business.
“It is heartbreaking to witness the negative impact this project delay will have on the well-being of our community. The condition of the bridge was very challenging for the growth of my business; if I don’t sell my agricultural produce, how will I earn money to sponsor my children to school?”

Nasiru Babagana, a 28-year-old resident of Limankara, also expressed his disappointment with the government and told UDEME how the unfinished bridge was negatively impacting his daily life and income.
“This is a real challenge. I am a driver, and I rely on my ability to transport agricultural products from Limankara to Maiduguri market. However, because the bridge is not yet completed, it is almost impossible to pass under the bridge in large numbers for fear that trucks will fall off. “This is affecting my income and ability to support my family,” he said.

Likewise, Falmata Issah, a 50-year-old resident of Gwoza, expressed her disappointment with the government.

 

“The thing is, I have family in Limankara that I want to visit, but the bridge is not finished yet, and the road is not good; the last time I went there, it was God who saved my life when our car was hit by a big truck because everyone was eager to pass through that small road. “It is hoped that the government can rehabilitate the bridge and save people from fatal accidents,” he said.

Aminat Bukar, a 25-year-old resident, told how many people lost their lives due to the incomplete completion of the bridge.
“You know, it was early or mid last year when some farmers were coming from Gwoza to Limankara with their produce, and the brakes of the big trailer failed and it hit their car. Everyone died without any survivors there; it is very unfortunate to see people losing their lives in the process of making a living,” he said.

Official reaction

When this reporter contacted Amos Tongman, Federal Works Inspector in Borno State, by telephone, he explained that one of the things faced in the implementation of the project in Maiduguri was insecurity.
“You will even see some situations where contractors will leave the site and leave their jobs. Likewise, inflation is now going against the country.”
He further noted that the reason for the delay was the contractor’s “failure to accurately survey and estimate the work to be performed.”
“You see, the problem is, after the start of work on the site, problems arose, such as the need to increase the length of the bridge, and that was a joint work. But now the project has been handed over to a new consultant to carry out the necessary surveys, and a committee has been formed to examine it. In the near future, work will begin on the bridge,” he said.

“Interestingly, the new administration has given a mandate for the rehabilitation and construction of roads from Mubi in Adamawa through Limankara to Maiduguri; soon, work will commence on these roads,” he added.

However, every effort to reach the Managing Director of SAPPERS ENGINEERING NIG. LTD in charge of the project was in vain. He didn’t pick up his calls or reply to messages.

This story was supported by funding from the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)

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