Buruku Bridge Project Restores Hope as Benue Records Nearly 200 Boat Mishap Deaths in Three Years

The ongoing construction of the Buruku Bridge in Benue State has renewed hope for residents and commuters after nearly 200 people reportedly lost their lives in boat accidents on the Katsina-Ala River over the past three years.

The Chairman of Buruku Local Government Area, Raymond Aondoakura, disclosed this on Thursday during an inspection tour of the project by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team, led by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The team was accompanied by Benue State Deputy Governor, Samuel Ode, and the Federal Controller of Works in the state, Mukaila Danladi, as they inspected ongoing Federal Government infrastructure projects across the state.

Aondoakura described the bridge as a life-saving intervention that would permanently end the dangerous river crossings that residents had endured for decades.

> “We thank President Bola Tinubu for this monumental project. In the last three years, we lost almost 200 people in this river. This bridge is a huge relief for Buruku residents and commuters from neighbouring states,” he said.

He also commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for ensuring prompt compensation for affected property owners, a move he said had facilitated the smooth execution of the project.

Deputy Governor Ode described the bridge as a strategic infrastructure project that would strengthen connectivity between Benue, Taraba and Nigeria’s North-East region.

According to him, the bridge will link Buruku, Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum Local Government Areas, improve transportation, reduce travel time, lower the cost of moving agricultural produce and boost economic activities, particularly the distribution of yams from the Sankera axis.

He praised the contractor, Setraco Nigeria Limited, for the quality and pace of work while reaffirming the Benue State Government’s commitment to supporting the project.

The Federal Controller of Works, Mukaila Danladi, said the dual carriage bridge measures about 854 metres, with major substructure works—including piles, pile caps and piers—already completed.

He explained that the installation of precast beams would commence once water levels on the Katsina-Ala River recede, noting that recent heavy rainfall had temporarily slowed construction.

Danladi assured that the project, funded under the Renewed Hope Intervention Fund, had no funding constraints and remained on course for completion by December 2027.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, Jonathan Modi, said the bridge would improve access from one of Nigeria’s largest yam-producing regions to markets across the country, thereby enhancing trade and regional integration.

Residents also welcomed the project. Community artisan Godwin Tordue said the construction had created employment opportunities for hundreds of workers, boosting local incomes, while Felicita Akanyah recalled that many victims of previous boat accidents were students and women travelling to markets.

Speaking during the inspection, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the Buruku Bridge is one of five Federal Government bridge projects currently underway in Benue State.

He noted that the project demonstrates how government borrowings are being invested in critical infrastructure capable of improving connectivity, stimulating commerce and opening up previously isolated communities.

The Buruku Bridge, located on the Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala-Zaki Biam highway, spans the Katsina-Ala River and is expected to significantly improve transportation between Benue and Taraba states.

Approved by the Federal Executive Council in March 2024 at a cost of over ₦83.7 billion, the project ranks among the Federal Government’s largest bridge infrastructure investments in Benue State.