From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin
Economic activities have resumed at Chikanda, a border community between Nigeria and Benin Republic after the government of Benin Republic fixed the recently damaged bridge linking the two neighbouring West African counties.
The fixing of the bridge came as the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon ordered the agency in charge of roads to swing into action on the repairs of the collapsed bridge.
The collapsed Mori bridge at Chikanda in Yashikira District of Baruten Local Government Area is an international border route connecting communities in Nigeria and Benin Republic in which thousands of people and goods pass through it daily.
A resident of Chikanda, Ahmed Shero confirmed that a team of Benniniore Engineers arrived the place with equipment and immediately started work over the night till the following morning after the damage occured.
Commuters now have access to pass through the bridge as laying of asphalt is also about to commence.
Daily Sun had reported that the bridge connecting Chikanda to Benin Republic cut off movement between both countries taking its toll on economic activities between Nigeria and Benin republic.
Similarly, the Kwara State House of Assembly members led by the Speaker, Yakubu Danladi Salihu embarked on an on the spot assessment on the collapsed bridge in Chikanda where Nigeria shares border with Benin Republic.
The visit followed the resolution of the Assembly at the plenary on Tuesday urging the governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to direct the State Ministry of Works and Transport to provide palliative measures to ease the movement of people and goods between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
On getting to the site of the collapsed bridge, the Government of Benin Republic had mobilized their engineers to the site to remedy the damaged portion of the bridge.
On the entourage of the Speaker were the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Works and Transport, and member representing Patigi state constituency Adam Rufai, member representing Okuta/Yashikira Muhammad Baba Salihu, member representing Bani/ Adena/Gweri I&II Saidu Baba, member representing Kaiama/Kemaji/Wojibe Abdullah Halidu Danbaba, Commissioner for Works Transport, Rotimi Illiasu, his counterpart in the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aliyu Kora Dudu amongst others.