The ongoing Buruku Bridge project has brought renewed hope to residents after nearly 200 people reportedly lost their lives in boat mishaps on the Katsina-Ala River within three years.
Mr Raymond Aondoakura, Chairman of Buruku Local Government, disclosed this in Buruku, Benue State, on Thursday during an inspection tour by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team.
The team was led by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
It was conducted round ongoing infrastructure projects across Benue by the Deputy Governor, Samuel Ode, and the Federal Controller of Works in the state, Mr Mukaila Danladi.
Aondoakura said the bridge would provide lasting relief to residents and commuters who had depended on unsafe river crossings for decades.
“We thank our President for his generosity and this monumental project. What this project has done to our local government cannot be expressed. We are very grateful.
“We are happy because we have lost lives in this river. In three years, we lost almost 200 people. This bridge is a relief to Buruku and commuters from other states,” he said.
He appreciated Governor Hyacinth Alia for compensating affected indigenes, saying the gesture supported the smooth execution of the project.
On his part, the Deputy Governor described the bridge as a monumental project and a strategic investment connecting Benue with Taraba and Nigeria’s North-East.
Ode said the Katsina-Ala River had claimed lives and property for decades, expressing optimism that the bridge would end dangerous crossings.
He said the Benue Government had fulfilled its compensation and right-of-way obligations, enabling smooth implementation of the Federal Government’s intervention.
The deputy governor said the bridge would connect Buruku, Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum, strengthening transportation between the North-Central and North-East regions.
He said the project would enhance the movement of agricultural produce, particularly yams from Sankera Federal Constituency, reducing travel time and transportation costs.
Ode commended Setraco Nigeria Ltd. for substantial progress, expressing satisfaction with the quality and pace of construction.
The Federal Controller of Works in Benue said the dual bridge measures about 854 metres, with major substructure works completed.
Danladi said piles, pile caps and piers had been completed, while precast beams awaited installation after water levels receded.
He attributed temporary delays to heavy rainfall but assured that construction would accelerate when river conditions improved.
Danladi said the project, funded through the Renewed Hope Intervention Fund, faced no financing challenges and remained scheduled for completion by December 2027.
He acknowledged the Benue Government’s support in compensating owners of affected structures, farmlands and economic trees within the project corridor.
Mr Jonathan Modi, Chairman of Ukum Local Government, said the bridge would improve access from Nigeria’s leading yam-producing area to major markets nationwide.
“We have the biggest yam market. This road and bridge will connect our local government.
“This will be the shortest route for distributing our goods and will support our communities and neighbouring areas like Taraba that we border,” he said.
A community artisan, Mr Godwin Tordue, said hundreds of workers had been engaged, boosting household incomes and economic activities around Buruku.
A resident, Mrs Felicita Akanyah, said many victims of previous boat accidents were students and women travelling to or returning from markets.
Akanyah appreciated the Federal Government for the project and thanked the state government for compensating affected community members.
Onanuga said the Buruku Bridge was a Federal Government project and the fifth bridge being constructed by the government in Benue.
The presidential spokesman said that although the government had been criticised over borrowing, infrastructure projects showed where the funds were being channelled.
He said investments in roads and bridges demonstrated that borrowed funds were supporting infrastructure capable of boosting economic activities and improving connectivity.
He added that such projects were opening previously isolated communities, strengthening trade and creating opportunities for economic development.
The Buruku Bridge is located on the Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala-Zaki Biam highway and crosses the Katsina-Ala River at Buruku.
The approximately 880-metre bridge is designed to improve links between Benue and Taraba, replacing a long-standing river crossing that hindered transportation and economic activities.
The Federal Executive Council approved the project in March 2024 at a contract value exceeding N83.7 billion.
It is among the Federal Government’s largest bridge projects in Benue.
