2027: Kano villagers demand bridge reconstruction, road rehabilitation

By Edito 9 hours ago 0

By Olufunmi

Kano, Aug. 26, 2026 (NAN) Residents of Romi community in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State have appealed to governments at all levels to reconstruct the collapsed bridge linking the community with the local government headquarters.

The residents also called for the rehabilitation of the 6.7-kilometre road linking the community to Dawakin Tofa, saying the deplorable condition of the infrastructure had subjected them to years of hardship.

They made the appeal during a visit by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to the community.

The residents said the bridge had remained unreconstructed for nearly three decades, threatening to boycott the 2027 general elections if the infrastructure was not fixed.

NAN reports that the bridge was initially constructed through a self-help initiative by the community and later completed by the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Council in 1995.

The road serves as a major link to nearly 20 communities, including Kwa, Dungurawa, Bumburawa, Babbar Ruga and Cedi Babbar Ruga.

However, residents said commuters continued to face difficulties accessing the road, particularly during the rainy season, while the route terminates at the Government Science Secondary School, Dawakin Tofa.

A community leader, Mr Isa Adamu Abdullahi, said the bridge collapsed in 1996 and had not been reconstructed since then.

“Currently, we heavily rely on motorcycles and bicycles to reach Dawakin Tofa town, where our critical needs such as hospitals, schools and markets are located.

“You know how difficult it is to travel there by bicycle,” he said.

A commuter, Mr Magaji Hussain, described the prolonged neglect of the road as unacceptable, saying residents might not participate in the forthcoming elections unless the bridge was reconstructed.

“As you can see, we are heading to Dawakin Tofa from Bambarawa. From Gangaren Dutse, Kwa to Romi, Malunfashi, Bambarawa, Katoge and Kashirmo, all are linked by this road.

“Honestly, we are facing difficulties on this road, especially whenever it rains. Once it is dark, people do not travel for fear of being robbed.

“We are not saying no to elections, but this road is our vote. If it is fixed, we will vote and support polio vaccination as well as other government programmes,” Hussain said.

Another resident, Mr Junaidi Danladi, said the poor condition of the road had exposed commuters to attacks by motorcycle thieves.

Danladi alleged that some of the attacks had resulted in loss of lives.

Despite the challenges, the APC Secretary of Romi Ward, Mr Ahmad Isa, said residents remained hopeful that the bridge would eventually be reconstructed and the road rehabilitated.

Isa expressed optimism that the long-standing infrastructure challenges confronting the community would soon be addressed.