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| Gen. Buratai |
Army builds bridge for ATBU
By Najib Sani
Bauchi
Following the collapse of a pedestrian bridge
at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, (ATBU), which killed some students
about two months ago, members of the Nigerian Army had promised to build a new
one and they have kept their promise.
at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, (ATBU), which killed some students
about two months ago, members of the Nigerian Army had promised to build a new
one and they have kept their promise.
Students of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
University (ATBU), Bauchi state will soon smile.
University (ATBU), Bauchi state will soon smile.
A new motorable bridge is being constructed
for them to replace the pedestrian bridge destroyed by flood, which left in its
wake three dead students and others seriously injured.
for them to replace the pedestrian bridge destroyed by flood, which left in its
wake three dead students and others seriously injured.
A student simply called Sadiq reported that the metal bridge linking the
student hostels and the lecture halls collapsed after a heavy rainfall in
August.
student hostels and the lecture halls collapsed after a heavy rainfall in
August.
Following that tragic incident, many
concerned individuals, corporate bodies and government officers visited the
institution on condolence visits, promising to do something
about the bridge.
concerned individuals, corporate bodies and government officers visited the
institution on condolence visits, promising to do something
about the bridge.
One of such visitors were men of the Nigerian
Army. They promised to construct a motorable bridge for the university.
Army. They promised to construct a motorable bridge for the university.
The Nigerian Army has kept to its promise of
building the facility at the main campus in Gubi.
building the facility at the main campus in Gubi.
The construction of the new bridge started on
September 19, Sadiq said. The facility is 30 metres long, and upon completion,
it can withstand the weight of about 60 tones.
September 19, Sadiq said. The facility is 30 metres long, and upon completion,
it can withstand the weight of about 60 tones.
The bridge, which will serve as the only
route between the students’hostel and their lecture rooms during the rains, is
expected to be completed before the end of next month.
route between the students’hostel and their lecture rooms during the rains, is
expected to be completed before the end of next month.
Although students just resumed for their
second semester examination, men of the Army Engineering Corps are working
frantically to ensure they meet the deadline.
second semester examination, men of the Army Engineering Corps are working
frantically to ensure they meet the deadline.
ATBU vice chancellor, Professor Mohammad
Abdullazeez has said the new motorable bridge would make it easier for students
to access their lecture rooms.
Abdullazeez has said the new motorable bridge would make it easier for students
to access their lecture rooms.
“We want to thank the Nigerian Army for fulfilling
their promise as they commence the construction of a new bridge.
their promise as they commence the construction of a new bridge.
“Initially, the bridge was pedestrian. Now
what they are trying to construct is a permanent motorable bridge, any car or
heavy duty vehicle can pass through.
what they are trying to construct is a permanent motorable bridge, any car or
heavy duty vehicle can pass through.
‘’When you look at the distance between
the academic areas and the hostels of
the students, it takes about 23km without the bridge. But by the time they
finish the bridge, some will just spend about 400 metres to their academic centres.’’
the academic areas and the hostels of
the students, it takes about 23km without the bridge. But by the time they
finish the bridge, some will just spend about 400 metres to their academic centres.’’