Neglected  Bridge Project Leaves Fct Community: Isolated, Endangering Lives

By Adamu Abdullahi

The widespread issue of ignoring  projects continues to plague Nigeria, leaving communities grappling with infrastructure, and nowhere is this more evident than in remote villages like Lanto in Kuje area council of FCT. Among these ignore projects are  roadworks, hospitals, and bridges that leave communities isolated and underserved.

In januay 2025, the residents of lanto community  in kuje  Area of FCT  staged a peaceful protest over neglected in the area, after the former area council chairman pay deaf ear to their plight, citing poor infrastructure, limited employment opportunities and environmental concerns when the FCT minister came to kuje for road projects flag off, the protest was prompted by many years of neglected

One such neglecting project is the road linking many communities, about 5 to 6km from Kuje township. The road, which was meant to connect a string of villages including Tundo, Shazi, Wumi, Godoji, and Lanto, remains partially unconstructed, leaving residents stranded and cut off, especially during the rainy season. The incumbent local government chairman in 2025 lead an engineers to site  for the construction of a bridge on this road, but locals lament that progress has stalled on his promised.

HRH. Ismail Galadimaof the Community, described the severe consequences of the poor road conditions: “We can’t quantify the number of deaths that occurred here,” he said, referring to frequent flooding and impassable sections of the road during the rainy season. residents are calling on the FCT administration to ensure the project is done.

Every rain fall Lanto community  stands at the edge of the flowing stream, looking across at the kuje city  cannot reach,  during the heavy rainy season, the water swells, turning a minor crossing into a treacherous barrier.

For the  residents of Lanto, this missing link isn’t just an inconvenience. It is a daily gamble with safety, economic survival, and life itself.

Despite decades of promises from FCT officials, remains entirely cut off from the main district due to the absence of a reliable bridge. An investigation into the area reveals how a single piece of missing infrastructure traps an entire community in a cycle of poverty and danger.

Farmer and businessman Kefas Musa echoed these concerns, lamenting how political leaders had visited the area multiple times, only to leave their promises unfulfilled. “We appeal to all those responsible to fix the road,” Jacob pleaded. He explained that business activities grind to a halt during the rainy season, with transportation costs skyrocketing due to alternative routes.

A commercial motorcyclist , Yusuf K Ibrahim said it was always difficult for them to ply the road, especially at the peak of the rainy season.

He said most cyclist seldom carry passengers to the community due to the bad roads and that the few that did so charged between 500  to 600 to the community from kuje town to the community

The impact of the poor infrastructure extends beyond travel and commerce, affecting critical healthcare access. The Lanto Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) is the only health facility serving this remote area, but its deplorable state compounds the hardships faced by residents. According to the community, the PHC is severely understaffed, with residents often unable to access even basic medical services

The state of the healthcare facility in Lanto reflects the neglect of the village’s crumbling road infrastructure. Community elder Yusu k Ibrahim voiced his frustration, noting that while some attention has been given to nearby areas like Lanto has been left behind. “We lack bridge, but it hasn’t been given any attention,” Ibrahim said. The lack of proper healthcare services further compounds the community’s challenges.

The Lanto Primary Healthcare Centre is barely operational, with no insufficient medical supplies. The community describes it as a deteriorating facility lacking basic amenities like  electricity and others

“This healthcare facility doesn’t have the resources to treat severe illnesses, and patients often need to be transported to Pasali, which becomes impossible when the roads are flooded,” said Ayedo Haruna

The THR NEWS reporter has learned that the primary healthcare center lacks functional facilities and if rain fall the staff will not be available.

Comr. Daniel Bulus, a youth leader, expressed his concerns about the state of the healthcare center. “In times of emergencies, We rely on herbs more than this facility; it’s better to pray for health than depend on it. Even the water here is unsafe, and if there’s no light, we have to bring our own torches for treatment.”

Many in the community have called for urgent intervention, not just for the road, but for the healthcare center that serves as a lifeline for Lanto and neighboring villages. With residents often left to their fate, the area remains in dire need of government attention and of promised projects.

THR NEWS contacted Hon. MD Jigo The chairman of contract verification committee (CVC) to the executive chairman of kuje Area Council, who is also senior special assistant to chairman to  confirmed the effort and concern of the councils towards the community, but wasn’t reachable. Calls and messages was sent but no responses.