BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR, JULY 06, 2025 | 02:52 PM
Following persistent appeals from residents and a recent report by the Lake Chad Times Newspaper highlighting the dilapidated state of the Fori Bridge, linking Fori and Bama Road in Maiduguri, work has commenced on its repair on Sunday.
This development comes as a welcome relief to commuters and traders who have been enduring significant hardship since the bridge was damaged by floods last September.
Lake Chad Times Newspaper had reported how residents of Fori and Galtimari have been urgently calling on the Borno State government to repair the crucial road infrastructure before the onset of the rainy season.
The approaching rains posed a severe threat, as they feared the temporary bridge, constructed by local youths after the flood, would be submerged and damaged, further disrupting their lives.
The urgency of the situation by residents who expressed deep concern over the delay in repairs, despite a previously announced collaborative effort between the Borno State Government and the World Bank to rebuild critical infrastructure damaged by last year's devastating floods.
The Fori Bridge was identified as a priority due to its vital importance for the region's economy and the daily lives of countless residents.
News that work has now begun will be met with considerable relief by the affected communities.
While details about the scope and expected completion time of the repairs are yet to be fully disclosed, the commencement of the project offers a glimmer of hope that the Fori Bridge will be restored before the full impact of the rainy season is felt, preventing the need for residents to take longer, more challenging alternative routes via Al-Amin Dagash.
The Borno State Government is now expected to expedite the reconstruction efforts to ensure the timely completion of the Fori Bridge, fulfilling their commitment to building a more resilient Borno State and easing the burden on the affected communities.