President Bola Tinubu has been encouraged to build a bridge between Agenebode and Idah in an attempt to improve socioeconomic activity in the Kogi area, Edo States, and the southern and northern regions of Nigeria.

Senior Consultant and Public Affairs expert Abdulsalam Suleiman Izuagbe made the plea in light of the unsettling and deteriorating Muritala Mohammed bridge in Kogi State’s Lokoja neighborhood.

Izuagbe told the DAILY POST that Tinubu should use the N5.4 trillion saved from the removal of oil subsidies to pay for the bridge. He also added that the bridge will help further the president’s renewed hope agenda in both states.

He bemoaned the fact that the Muritala Mohammed bridge was overloaded with goods that were typically shipped by rail from the South to the North.

Izuagbe claims: “We are advocating for the building of a bridge between Kogi and Edo State because it will support the president’s renewed hope agenda, increase trade and economic activity, and eliminate the unsettling structure at the Muritala Muhammed bridge in Lokoja.

Because the railway system has not been established, many heavy loads that should be on the rail lines have been crossing that bridge, making it weak and brittle from years of overloading of goods like cement and iron rods that are flowing from south to north. You would feel sorry for the bridge’s state if you visit Lokoja because it is in dire need of a supporting bridge.

“People are dying on canoes, and the canoes we have are as old as my grandfather and lack life jackets. Agensebode is about a kilometer away from Idah in Kogi State, but there is no bridge to connect these people since God created them.” Tinubu ought to think about building a bridge there since there is currently funding available.

“The president has been very kind in handling the N5.4 trillion that was saved when the oil subsidy was eliminated. If given to a good company, one trillion dollars can be plugged into that bridge and it will succeed.