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Three (3) lives claimed by the collapsed bridge
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Victims, including school children, have been identified as part of the loss.
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Residents call on governments to intervene urgently.
Akwa Ibom State The MFON/NDIYA bridge in the Etiennan Local Government Area has sent three people, including school children, to their early graves. The bridge has been dilapidated since 2011. Despite the efforts made by residents to seek help repair the bridge, unfortunately none of this has been done.
The bridge is a link between trade, transportation and transportation of agricultural products and other commodities built by the military government in 1970. As an important access for humans and commodities, residents continue to use bridges in their bad state, as residents have few other options.
From the report of the table table that arrived at Nigeria’s daily report, the bridge collapsed in 2011, but despite the continuous defense of residents’ demands against the government, nothing was taken to save it.
The three lives collected today have passed over time, including the loss of primary school students.
Etinan’s community leader Akpan Ekaette expressed pain and regret on behalf of village chief Akpan Ekaette, who told reporters that the community had suffered a great suffering since the bridge collapsed. Mr Akpan said it disrupted transactions, society and many economic activities, including getting access to commuters since the collapse. What is painful is the life that is lost through it.
According to him, “More than three people have died in attempts to cross the bridge, including school children, since the bridge collapsed. In addition to losing lives, our economic activities have also suffered losses as the road and bridge are the only access to Ndia and it connects us to Eket, Oron and other areas of Akwa Ibom.”
Mr. Akpan and the deputy head who stood with him and other Chiedf begged Governor Akwa Ibom that Governor Umo-Eno came to aid and saved the situation.
In further investigation into the issue, we found that Hon has brought the case in the past. Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, representing a respected member of the Etinan State constituency, but did nothing. honor. Uduak is said to have submitted the matter to the House in July 2023, asking the government to interfere in the issue, but did not give the matter the due attention.
He further revealed that there could be more casualties if emergency interventions did not arrive in the community early.