Following torrential rainfalls and flooding that occurred, the Katarko bridge, which connected various areas of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Gombe states, collapsed yesterday.
Africa Today News, New York reports that right now, the only safer Maiduguri-Damaturu-Biu route and bridge in Buratai village reportedly collapsed last Sunday, killing a pregnant woman and sweeping away three vehicles; the incident happened just 24 hours prior.
Due to these developments, cars and passengers traveling from Biu to Maiduguri were forced to take a diversion on Tuesday, passing through the Gombe state towns of Darazau or Bakoka before arriving in Potiskum to Damaturu, as the Katarko axis was rendered inaccessible as an aftermath of the incident.
Dr. Mohammed Goje, the Yobe State Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, confirmed the implosion of the Katarko bridge on Tuesday. He informed newsmen during an interview that the incident is really unfortunate since it will render traveling difficult for thousands of impacted drivers and passengers.
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‘In the early hours of 30th August 2022, Yobe SEMA received sad news of Katarko Bridge being disconnected from the main road.
‘This is the bridge and only road linking Damaturu to Gujba, Gulani and Biu local government areas.
‘Already there are incidence of Flooding in Mutai, Buni Yadi and Gulani Communities which calls for major concerns especially in Mutai.’
‘Yobe SEMA has already reached out to the military to provide a barricade in Katarko as more civilians are trooping the scene to avoid civilian casualty.”
‘While this may affect immediate live-saving support to communities already affected by Flood and or recovering from conflict, Yobe State Government is improvising alternative routes to reach to persons of concerns as well as reconnect the affected communities.” Dr. Goje stated.
He continued by saying that the Yobe State Government, led by Governor Mai Mala Buni, is working with Save The Children International (SCI), a non-governmental organization, to assist flood victims. Also, every household will obtain N33,000 per month for a total of five (5) months thanks to the cooperation.
The victims must register with the Yobe State Contributory Health Management Agency, or YSCHMA, according to the SEMA Boss, in order to obtain the predetermined package of medical treatments for the entire year.
The initiative, according to Goje, was essential following recent stakeholders meeting his organization held with SCI in Damaturu, the state capital.
It was learned that drivers currently have no choice but to make the over 500-kilometer drive via another axis, being the only one that is functional for the time being, due to the poor state and lack of access to the 250-kilometer Maiduguri-Damaturu-Biu road and the collapse of the Katarko bridge.