The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has advised residents to feel safe to continue using the pedestrian walkway bridge at Area 3, in Garki District, Abuja.
FCDA gave the advice on Thursday while allaying the fears of residents following the erosion that washed the embankment of the pedestrian walkway.
Mr Richard Nduul, Media Assistant to the Executive Secretary, FCDA, in a statement noted that the area affected by the erosion is the embankment of the pedestrian walkway segment of the entire bridge not the vehicular bridge.
He said the advice became imperative following the heels of reoccurring erosion, purportedly threatening the bridge, located opposite Garki Hospital.
Nduul said that after an inspection of the site by the FCDA Engineering Department in company of M/S Setraco Nig. Ltd, one of the contractors in the FCT, dismissed the impression of erosion affecting the bridge.
He said the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Mr Gambo Jibrin had directed the Engineering Department to quickly take adequate measures to arrest the erosion in the area with immediate effect to avoid further deterioration.
“Jibrin also directed that an audit be carried out on all such bridges in the FCT, as a pre-emptive measure against the erosion menace as the raining season was at its peek.
“Residents are advised to feel safe to continue the use of the bridge as the erosion has not affected the structural elements of the bridge in any way.
“This clarification has become necessary in order to allay the fears of residents that their lives are in danger as a result of the present situation of the bridge.
“We assure residents of their safety as the bridge is in no way at risk.
“We want to use this opportunity to commend residents for their prompt observation and also for drawing the attention of the Authority to the situation,” Jibrin said.