Residents of three communities spanning two Local Government Areas in Cross River State are sounding the alarm over the dire state of their only bridge. They are fervently appealing to Governor Bassey Otu to intervene and ensure the immediate restoration of this vital infrastructure, which connects them to the outside world. The urgency behind their request stems from the fear of potential tragedies if the bridge is not promptly repaired.
Community leaders have come forward to express profound discontent and to shed light on the hardships they endure due to the limited access to neighboring communities. The bridge serves as a lifeline for Ejama in Yala Local Government Area, as well as Shi-Aya and Ibil communities in Ogoja LGA.
With a heavy heart, stakeholders in these communities have declared that the bridge has become a death trap, particularly for farmers who rely on it to transport their agricultural produce to markets. The precarious condition of the bridge poses a significant threat to their safety and economic wellbeing.
During an interview conducted by the Godshield Kanjal Journalism Foundation, Mr. Emmanuel Alaga, a youth leader, shared his concerns. At the age of 35, he emphasized that the bridge has been in a deplorable state for over two years, and the community has been struggling to find avenues to communicate their plight to the relevant authorities.
Alaga implored the journalists, stating, “We have been desperately searching for a platform to convey our message to the relevant government authorities, but our pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears−until your team arrived. We implore you to carry our message to the appropriate officials, urging them to intervene and rehabilitate the only bridge connecting our communities. We are enduring immense suffering.”
Martina Awum, another distressed villager and farmer, echoed the sentiment, fervently calling on the government to swiftly intervene to improve the economy of the affected LGAs.
Adding his voice to the chorus, Kanjal Godshield, a prominent stakeholder, urged Governor Otu to take immediate action. He emphasized the critical need to repair the dilapidated bridge, which has morphed into a perilous trap, posing an imminent risk to the community’s safety and economic stability.
