A key bridge known as the Malam-Audu bridge linking Pantisawa in Yorro Local Government Council to Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, collapsed suddenly on Thursday due to heavy rainfall. This collapse has left hundreds of commuters and pedestrians stranded, disrupting a vital transportation route and forcing travelers to take longer alternative routes.
The affected communities expressed serious concerns, comparing this incident to last year's collapse of the Namnai bridge in Gassol Local Government Council, which has yet to be repaired. Residents are urging authorities not to neglect this recent collapse as it is expected to negatively impact the regional economy and daily activities.
Locals lament the lack of timely maintenance and feared that without urgent intervention, the collapse would exacerbate hardship and isolation for people in Taraba North and beyond.
This new infrastructure failure adds to growing worries about road safety and governance in the state, signaling the pressing need for government action to restore critical infrastructure and ensure the mobility and economic stability of Taraba’s populace.
The previous Namnai bridge collapse led to tragic consequences, including fatalities from boat mishaps at the now unsafe crossing, further stressing the urgency for bridge repairs and reconstruction in the area.
The Federal Government through the Northeast Development Commission had begun work on a temporary paliative road near the Namnai bridge site as a stopgap solution, but comprehensive reconstruction is still pending.
This latest bridge collapse underlines the vulnerability of Taraba’s infrastructure to heavy rains and neglect, demanding swift and sustained responses to prevent further disruptions and casualties.