By:Babagana Bukar Wakil Ngala, Maiduguri
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has revealed that it has taken over the reconstruction of major bridges destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.
Mr Mohammed Alkali, the Managing Director of the commission, disclosed this during the inauguration of the commission’s infrastructure reconstruction and rehabilitation projects in Yola.
Alkali said that the 12 years of insurgency in the region had affected commerce, following the destruction of markets, roads, and bridges as well as public sector infrastructure.
He said the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing had awarded numerous contracts for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads in the region.
He said that the reconstruction of the bridges would restore trade links between Adamawa and Borno as well as boost trades with the Cameroon Republic.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), said several schemes had been evolved by the current administration to close the funding gap required for road projects in the country.
Fashola,who was represented by Mr Emmanuel Adeoye, Director Highways Bridges and Design, listed the scheme as Sukuk Funds, Tax Credit Scheme, and Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund.
He said the ministry had approached the NEDC for a partnership to improve the quality of road infrastructure in the zone.