Key Takeaways
- Residents of Piko and Panda communities are seeking the construction of a bridge across the river to ease movement
- The bridge would provide easier access to Shere, Mpape, and other adjoining areas
- The absence of a bridge causes severe hardship, particularly during the rainy season
Residents of Piko and Panda communities in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have made a passionate appeal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to construct a vital bridge across the river linking the two communities. This move is aimed at easing movement, especially during the rainy season, which has become a constant source of hardship for the residents.
According to some residents who spoke with Abuja Metro, the construction of the bridge has become a necessity, as it would not only connect the two communities but also provide easier access to Shere, Mpape, and other adjoining areas. The road is described as a vital route used daily by traders, farmers, workers, students, and other residents, and the absence of a bridge has continued to cause severe hardship.
Impact on Socio-Economic Activities
A resident of Panda community, Danjuma Isaac, emphasized that constructing a bridge across the river would significantly boost socio-economic activities in the area. Isaac, who is a farmer, noted that many farmers are worst affected by the absence of a bridge, as they cannot access their farmlands whenever the river overflows after heavy rainfall. He explained that the river becomes impassable after heavy rainfall, disrupting farming activities, commerce, education, and access to essential services.
Isaac also highlighted the negative impact on schoolchildren who trek to neighboring communities, adding that many of them are unable to attend classes whenever the river is flooded. This has raised concerns about the educational well-being of the children and the need for a lasting solution to the problem.
Call to Action
A community leader, Samson Baba Madaki, also appealed to the Bwari Area Council authorities to liaise with the FCT Administration to construct a bridge across the river. Madaki emphasized that the lack of a bridge has remained one of the major challenges confronting residents of Piko and Panda communities for many years, and that the intervention of the minister would bring lasting relief to the affected communities.
When contacted, an official of the Works Department of the Bwari Area Council, Benjamin Audu, said the council chairman had already written to the FCT Administration, requesting intervention on the construction of the bridge across the river. This development has raised hopes that the long-awaited bridge may soon become a reality, bringing relief to the residents of Piko and Panda communities.
Why This Matters
The construction of the bridge is crucial for the socio-economic development of the area, and the FCT Minister's intervention is essential to bring an end to the yearly hardship experienced by the residents during the rainy season. The bridge will not only improve accessibility but also enhance the overall well-being of the communities, making it a priority project that requires urgent attention.