Residents of Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State have praised Governor Uba Sani for ending more than 20 years of hardship through the reconstruction of the Store Bridge along the Marabar Yakawada–Kaya Road, a project they say has revived economic and social activities in the area.
The residents, who spoke with journalists during a media tour of government projects, said the bridge has restored access to markets, healthcare facilities and farmlands that were often cut off during the rainy season due to the collapse of the old structure.
They described the project as a major milestone in the governor’s rural transformation agenda, noting that it has significantly improved the movement of people and goods across several communities in the local government area.
A commercial driver from Kaya village, Shehu Muharazu, recalled the difficulties motorists and commuters faced before the reconstruction of the bridge.
According to him, the collapsed bridge made transportation almost impossible during the rainy season, disrupting economic activities and isolating communities for extended periods.
He explained that Giwa Local Government is predominantly agrarian and that farming activities often suffered whenever heavy rains rendered the route impassable.
Mr Muharazu noted that the road serves as a critical link between the southern and northern parts of Giwa Local Government Area and also connects residents to neighbouring communities in Katsina State.
“Whenever the rains came, transporting passengers and goods to the major market in Giwa became a nightmare. In many cases, we had to travel through Sabuwa and Funtua in Katsina State to reach our destination. This increased transportation costs, fuel expenses and security risks.
“The situation affected our income because many people avoided travelling, while transport fares became too expensive for some residents,” he said.
Also speaking, a farmer and resident of Marabar Yakawada, Ibrahim Muhammadu, said the failed bridge had long posed a major challenge to farmers and rural dwellers.
He recalled that many residents returning from their farms were frequently stranded whenever rainfall caused water levels around the bridge to rise.
“After spending the day on the farm, you could arrive at the bridge only to discover that rainfall upstream had made crossing impossible. Many people spent hours waiting for the water to subside before continuing their journey,” he said.
Another resident, Muhammad Aminu of Gadagau community, said the collapse of the bridge had negatively affected access to healthcare services for years.
According to him, referrals from Primary Healthcare Centres in communities around Gadagau and Maraban Fatika were often delayed, contributing to avoidable maternal and infant deaths.
“The reconstruction of this bridge has greatly improved access to emergency healthcare services. Pregnant women and other vulnerable residents can now reach medical facilities more quickly and safely,” he said.
The residents noted that beyond easing transportation challenges, the project has boosted commercial activities, improved access to education and strengthened social interactions among communities previously separated by poor infrastructure.
Speaking during the tour, Kaduna State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, said the media engagement was organised to provide journalists with first-hand information on the impact of ongoing government projects across the state.
He said the reconstruction of the Store Bridge demonstrates Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to inclusive development and improving the welfare of citizens, particularly those in rural communities.
“Governor Uba Sani is deliberately investing in infrastructure that directly impacts the lives of citizens. The Store Bridge is not just a crossing point; it is a lifeline that has restored economic activities, improved access to healthcare and eased the movement of people and goods after more than two decades of hardship,” Mr Maiyaki said.
He added that the administration would continue to prioritise strategic infrastructure projects capable of driving economic growth, enhancing social services and improving the quality of life of residents across Kaduna State.
According to the commissioner, the government’s focus remains on delivering projects that address the immediate needs of communities while laying the foundation for long-term development.
