Residents of Piko and Panda communities in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to construct a bridge across the river linking the two communities to ease movement, especially during the rainy season. Some residents, who spoke with Abuja Metro, said the bridge had become a necessity, noting that it would not only connect the two communities but also provide easier access to Shere, Mpape and other adjoining areas. They described the road as a vital route used daily by traders, farmers, workers, students and other residents, saying the absence of a bridge has continued to cause severe hardship, particularly during the rainy season. A resident of Panda community, Danjuma Isaac, said constructing a bridge across the river would significantly boost socio-economic activities in the area. He said farmers were among those worst affected, as many could not access their farmlands whenever the river overflowed after heavy rainfall. “Like whenever it rains, I hardly cross the river to get to my farm because I have a farm across the river, just like some other residents who also have farms across the river too,” he said. According to him, the river becomes impassable after heavy rainfall, disrupting farming activities, commerce, education and access to essential services. Isaac also said the absence of a bridge has negatively affected schoolchildren who trek to neighbouring communities, adding that many of them are unable to attend classes whenever the river is flooded. A community leader, Samson Baba Madaki, also told Abuja Metro that the lack of a bridge had remained one of the major challenges confronting residents of Piko and Panda communities for many years. “And the worst time our people suffer most is during the rainy season especially whenever it rains heavily, the river becomes over flooded, thereby making it difficult for our people including farmers to cross to their farms,” he said. Madaki appealed to the Bwari Area Council authorities to liaise with the FCT Administration to construct a bridge across the river. “And I believe that the intervention of the minister would bring lasting relief to the affected communities, which would also end the yearly hardship experienced by our people during every year’s rainy season,” he added. 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.
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