By Peter Amine
The Deputy Speaker, Plateau House of Assembly, Mr Isa Madaki, is constructing bridges to link some communities in Jos East Local Government of the state.
Madaki, who represents Jos East State Constituency in the assembly, said that the gesture was to enhance movement in the communities and boost economic activities.
The deputy speaker, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Moses Azi, stated this while inspecting the ongoing construction of one of the bridges at Riseh Community on Tuesday.
He said that the intervention was to alleviate the people’s sufferings and also improve their security.
“Considering the challenge that the people of Zendi and other communities have been facing for years in terms of this river, they find it very difficult to cross once it is rainy season, so we have decided to construct the bridge.
“In spite of the fact that we’ve not been able to assess the consistency allowance, out of my pocket, I had to ensure that this work is done.
“As you can see, the work is ongoing, and we have given the contractor four weeks to finish the work so that the people can use the bridge because the rains are already here.
“And I can assure you that it’s not only this bridge that is being constructed. Work for the construction of another bridge around the Angware axis is ongoing,” he added.
Madaki assured the people that all projects would be completed in one month.
He announced plans for a rural electrification project to provide electricity for some communities.
The acting District Head of Fuderek, Chief Toma Abok, lauded the lawmaker for the intervention, which he described as timely.
Abok said that apart from the Riseh Community Bridge, the deputy speaker, though a Muslim, was building a secretariat for the Christian Association of Nigeria in Angware and a Church.
The traditional ruler said that the lawmaker was setting the pace, urging other politicians to emulate him.
He urged the people to protect projects executed in their communities to maximally benefit from them.
Mr Steven Atsen, a builder, who is overseeing the construction of the bridge through direct labour said the Riseh Community bridge was a gateway to a lot of other villages in Jos East.
Atsen said that the stream looked small but constituted a major problem for passersby and the community when the water level was high at the peak of the rainy season.
“The member decided to do this intervention to ease the suffering of the community.
“And as his way of bringing everybody on board, he called on all of us that are professionals in the construction industry from Jos East to put our heads together to make sure that this project is actualized.
“We are just doing that to make sure that it is done in collaboration with the community.
“We have called on all of them, including the traditional rulers, to give us full backing so that we can bring this project to completion within the shortest time possible,” he said. NAN
