For over five years, the people of Kadawa Community in Garun Mallam Local Government Area of Kano State have endured the hardships caused by the collapse of a bridge that once connected them to neighbouring villages and farmlands.
The bridge’s collapse severely impacted the daily lives of over 3,000 farmers, schoolchildren, and residents who relied on it for transportation and access to essential services.
Despite numerous appeals to the government for assistance, no action was taken until recently.
WOFAN, known for its dedication to rural development, responded to the community’s call for help after years of government inaction.
The organization quickly sent a team of engineers to assess the situation and conduct a detailed survey.
Images of the damaged bridge, widely shared on social media, highlighted the scale of the problem and the steps WOFAN was taking to address it.
WOFAN’s involvement caught the attention of state authorities and acted as a catalyst for government intervention.
Shortly after the engineers arrived, the Kano State government, which had previously remained unresponsive, initiated an emergency response. With the approval of the governor, state officials mobilized resources and began delivering building materials to the site to commence repairs.
“Our community has faced years of hardship, and we are grateful to WOFAN for stepping in and finally bringing government attention to our plight,” said Dayyab Abubakar, a representative of the community.
Efforts are underway to reconstruct the bridge with materials already mobilised to the site.
He added that without WOFAN’s involvement, the bridge might have remained in its dilapidated state.
“This case underscores the important role NGOs like WOFAN play in addressing gaps left by government delays. While the bridge collapse should have been addressed much earlier, it was WOFAN’s persistent advocacy and willingness to act that eventually spurred the government to take responsibility.”
Malam Nasiru Abdullahi, a representative of the Sarkin Garin Kadawa (Kadawa Village Head), expressed gratitude for WOFAN’s intervention.
“The collapse of the bridge left us isolated from neighbouring villages, severely affecting our businesses and daily lives. WOFAN’s help has been invaluable, and we know that the people of Kadawa are always in their hearts. This is not the first time they have come to our aid,” he said.
He also noted that the collapsed bridge had claimed two lives, emphasizing the bridge’s critical role in the community. “On behalf of the people of Kadawa, we sincerely appreciate their efforts.”
Mariya Muhamud, another resident of Kadawa, expressed deep gratitude to WOFAN, particularly to its Founder and Executive Director, Salamatu Garba.
“We are speechless and cannot thank her enough for her kindness. May Allah reward her for all she has done for us,” she said.
With the government now moving to rebuild the bridge, the residents of Kadawa can finally look forward to a return to normalcy, grateful for the perseverance of their community and the crucial support provided by WOFAN.
