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Gully erosion threatening lives of residents of Gadar Obi in Birnin Kebbi

By Yarima Haruna,Kebbi 
Gadar Obi as fondly called by occupants of the area whose houses s are located around the gully erosion are having tightmare Crossing to their abodes particularly during rainy season when the soil is wet making it dangerous to walk on.

History has it that,one Igbo man by name Obi was the first person to cross over the deep gully erosion to built house and to access his house he built a makeshift bridge which he uses to get to his house,as such years after he left the state the name ” Gadar Obi” remains till today even the local bridge is no longer there.

Residents of Gadar Obi ,a community under Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State who spoke to our correspondent has cried out for support as their only bridge that connect them with the state capital for decades is nearest to collapse.

The Chairman of the community Alhaji Faruku Abubakar Sala-Sala madam made the call in an interview our correspondent in the state capital Birnin Kebbi.

He said the agrarian community, derived it’s name from a bridge popularly know as Gadar Obi, situated along the outskirts of Birnin Kebbi, seen to be isolated from the state capital and other communities which are enjoying good roads for years.

Farukku Sala-Sala said the bridge are two constructed by Obi for decades and since then they are managing them and rehabilitating them as they are the only road that linked them with the local and state capitals which were constructed for decades. 

According to him, all the water wind of the bridges have completely collapsed which caused the collapsed of the bridge, and appeal for support from all angles as the community members have been doing their best to ensure that, the bridge did not collapsed, adding that the area is now facing soil erosion and desertification.

He added that, for long, they have forwarded their complaints to the previous administrations but yet, nothing was done, and now they have channel the same complaint to Governor Nasir Idris and his polical aid,  Alhaji Umar Idris Buro to come to aid and construct a modern bridge that will easy access to their homes across the deep gallery erosion.

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Also speaking, the resident of the Area, Malam Tukur Usman, said the condition of the road and the bridges are terrible and solicit for the support from governments and wealthy individuals as the community members have been doing their best annually but the situation is now getting out of their hand.

According to him, when the bridge collapsed it will cut them off to the state capital as well as their schools, Farms and market places which will bring set back to their economic and social activities.

Similarly, Malam Umar Gadar Obi also solicit for support and assistance in order to reconstruct the bridge and stressed for the need for more roads as the community is now expanding becoming a new millennium city as many people come to buy land and build houses.

The life threatening gully erosion had forced some residents to relocate because the gully erosion is gradually eating up their homes thus feeling unsafe to continue staying there.

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