The Niger State government has called on the Federal Government to release ecological funds allegedly looted by the former Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, and his officials to curb the current ecological challenges facing the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, made the appeal when he inspected a collapsed bridge due to flood after a heavy downpour.
The bridge collapsed at old Mypa Junction along Hayan Gwari Road in Minna, Bosso Local Government Area of the state.
Vatsa however blamed the incident on the immediate past administration of Aliyu and his officials, who are standing trial for allegedly siphoning over N6 billion ecological funds they diverted to their private pockets.
The Commissioner however promised that the present administration will judiciously utilise the funds when returned to the state.
He said Governor Abubakar Sani Bello is committed to transparency and accountability.
He commended former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, who started the good drainage system in Minna and its environs.
Subsequently, Vatsa advised those living in riverine areas of the state to temporarily relocate to the uplands to avoid flood disaster, adding that the three dams can release water from their dams whenever there is excess water, especially with the warnings by experts that that there will be much rains this year.
The site engineer, Hussaini Mohammed, in an interview disclosed that whatever is done now is temporary, but assured of better alternative to reduce the plight of the people of the area.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Architect Umar Mohammed Bawa, also explained the magnitude of work to be carried out at the bridge.
Bawa however said that the Ministry has divided the Minna master drainage system into two phases, which has been fully captured as part of the state plan so as to carry out quick response intervention on the bridge in order to cushion the effect on the people plying the area.
Two bridges had earlier this month collapsed in the state, leading to diversion of traffic on the ever busy Ilorin-Abuja Road.
– Dan Atori
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