The Federal Government has initiated an action to rebuild the collapsed bridge at Mokwa in Niger State as death toll hits 171.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in Minna on Saturday.
The led a Federal Government delegation on a condolence visit to Niger to commiserate with the state government and victims of the recent flood disaster.
Also in the delegation was the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Nentawe Yilwatda.
The Mokwa bridge collapsed on Wednesday after heavy downfall. The flood that ensued also claimed the lives of 171 people in Mokwa as at Sunday.
The bridge has left many motorists and other road users stranded as it’s the bridge that links the North and Southwest parts of the country.
The minister said the Federal Government had been briefed on the flood situation and the collapsed bridge.
“We have embarked on an assessment visit, and remedial action is already being activated and preparatory for a permanent solution.
“Remedial action is being taken to prevent a complete breakdown of movement of people and goods on the route,” he said.
He said the Federal Government was working towards providing a permanent solution to the problem.
Overseeing Director General of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Dr Ibrahim Hussaini, said new report on Saturday confirmed 151 bodies had been recovered.
He said 11 people were injured, 3,018 individuals displaced while 503 households were affected in three communities within Mokwa Local Government.
