FG moves to save 32-year-old Kano bridge
For many years, the deplorable state of the Tamburawa Bridge, one of the many bridges along the Kano-Kaduna Expressway, had been a source of worry and apprehension for those who ply the road as well as the host community.
Sand excavation activities around the base of the bridge, built in 1986, had taken its toll on the bridge, leading to near collapse. Years back, a lot of concerns were raised by motorists and community members, and the attention of various stakeholders were also drawn to the danger the collapse of the bridge poses to the lives and property of millions of people who ply the Kano-Kaduna route.
Government’s attention was also drawn to the structural damage done to the bridge, which led to the subsequent banning of excavation activities it.
Malam Ussaini Musa, a resident of Tamburawa community, said they found the damage done to the bridge very disturbing, and the community members had no option than to continue raising alarm. He is happy that succor has come at last.
“As community members who were benefiting more than anybody else from this bridge, the structural dilapidation had been a source of worry to all of us but we couldn’t do anything because the work required is far above our capability. We have been raising alarm for quite a long period and to God be the glory this present administration has come to our rescue,” narrated Malam Ussaini.
Before the commencement of the repair works by the Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing, the bridge has degenerated to a shaky condition.
A motorist who plies the route on a daily basis, Mr. Tanko Jinta, said he had not noticed
Despite huge financial investments being made in nutrition issues in Nigeria, cases of malnutrition continue to increase, the new Multiple Indicator Survey (MICS5) has shown.
Malnutrition is defined as the outcome of insufficient food intake and repeated infectious diseases. It includes being underweight for one’s age, too short for one’s age (stunted), dangerously thin for one’s height (wasted) and deficient in vitamins and minerals (micronutrient malnutrition).
Regardless of the huge interventions from government at all levels, international donors and partnerships to curb the situation, malnutrition remains one of the major child killer diseases in Nigeria, accounting for over half of the 2,300 children, under-five, who die daily in different parts of the country with the North-east recording the largest number of deaths.
The MICS5 2011/2017 data highlighted nationwide drop in infant mortality, but malnutrition cases continue to increase, making Nigeria the third country in the world with malnutrition issues.
Some of the reasons given for the increasing rate in the North-east region include insurgency, poverty and lack of enlightenment.
The survey puts the number of children with acute malnutrition in northern Nigeria at 2.2 million even though the region is said to control the food basket of the country, producing enough food for both domestic consumption and export.
Although the under-five mortality rate dropped from 158/1000 live births in 2011 any form of problem with the bridge until he saw the construction workers handling the repairs. “I never knew the bridge is as damaged as it is until I saw the construction workers under the bridge, which prompted me to go and have a look. To be honest with you, I was shocked on the danger we have been exposed to over the years. However, I am happy that the repair has commenced and is near completion. I used to believe that President Buhari had neglected the North but seeing this repair work and the one from Kano to Zaria made me withdraw my statement. What Buhari need is our prayers, that is all,” said Mr. Jinta. to 120/1000 in 2016-17, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) evaluation expert, Maureen Zubie-Okolo, at a media training on data-driven reporting in Enugu, said MICS5 2016-2017 survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that with the current rate of one out of 10 children dying before their fifth birthday, Nigeria still has one of the highest childhood mortality rate in the world, and malnutrition contributes to the recorded deaths among children.
The Kano Controller Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing, Engineer Umar Shehu Dange, revealed that the federal government decided to commence repair works on the bridge when the seriousness of damage done to the bridge by sand excavators was brought to its attention.
He added that the ministry had secured an approval for emergency repairs by the Federal Executive Council due to the importance of the bridge and the risks involved should it collapse. “The government had taken prompt action by approving N1.89 billion for the repairs and a greater percentage of the repairs have been
“Malnutrition among children under-five years has worsened generally. Underweight prevalence among children increased from 24 percent to 31 percent while stunting prevalence (children who are short for their age) increased from 34.8 to 43.6 percent. Wasting prevalence (children who are too thin for their height) increased marginally from 10.2 percent to 10.8 percent,” she said.
The situation of malnutrition in Nigeria has assumed an alarming proportion, which was declared as an emergency by the World