The commissioning of the newly constructed Kilema Bridge today, by Vice President Kashim Shettima stands out as one of the major highlights of activities lined up to commemorate the 70th birthday of the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I.
The bridge, located in Lafia, is one of three major bridges constructed by the Nasarawa State Government using the N3 billion flood intervention fund released by the Federal Government to address recurring flood disasters in the state.
Governor Abdullahi Sule disclosed this on Sunday while receiving the winner of the Nasarawa North Senatorial District bye-election, Barrister Danladi Halilu Envulanza, at the Government House in Lafia.
According to the governor, the Kilema Bridge, alongside the Kofan Kaura and Keana bridges, was built as part of a deliberate effort by the state government to provide permanent engineering solutions to perennial flooding that has for years disrupted movement and cut off communities across affected areas.
Governor Sule explained that the three locations were identified as flood-prone zones requiring urgent and long-lasting intervention. He noted that rather than deploying the funds for temporary relief measures, the government invested in critical infrastructure projects capable of delivering enduring benefits to residents.
“The objective was to ensure that the intervention leaves behind lasting infrastructure that would continue to serve communities long after the flood disasters have passed,” the governor said.
The N3 billion intervention fund was released to Nasarawa State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2024 as part of the Federal Government’s broader initiative to assist states in mitigating the impact of flooding across the country.
Governor Sule recalled that upon receiving notification of the fund from the state Accountant General, he immediately convened officials of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to determine the most effective utilisation of the money. He also directed the establishment of a dedicated account for the fund to guarantee transparency and accountability in its disbursement.
With the completion and commissioning of the Kilema Bridge, the governor said the state government has provided tangible evidence of how the intervention fund was utilised. He added that the bridges at Kofan Kaura and Keana further demonstrate the prudent management of the resources.
Sule commended President Tinubu for fulfilling his commitment to support flood-affected states, describing the bridge project as a landmark achievement that will benefit the Lafia Emirate and neighbouring communities for generations.
The Vice President’s visit to Lafia for the Emir’s milestone celebration is expected to attract traditional rulers, political leaders and other dignitaries from across the country, with the commissioning of the Kilema Bridge serving as one of the defining events of the occasion.