Residents of Nyido-Tosso Ward in Kurmi Local Government Council of Taraba State have raised the alarm over the collapse of the Kufai Bawuru Bridge, calling on the state government and relevant authorities to urgently rehabilitate or reconstruct the infrastructure.
The residents said the bridge, which links communities in the ward with other parts of the local government area, had become difficult and dangerous to use following its collapse.
They expressed concern that the development could disrupt the movement of people, agricultural produce and essential goods, particularly as many residents depend on farming and trading for their livelihoods.
According to them, the bridge serves as an important route for farmers transporting their produce to markets, while traders and other residents rely on it to access goods and services in neighbouring communities.
The situation has also raised concerns over access to schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services, with residents warning that prolonged disruption could further isolate communities in the area.
Speaking to DAILY POST, a resident, Tafa Sunday, appealed to the Taraba State Government, Kurmi Local Government Council and other relevant authorities to urgently inspect the bridge and commence remedial work.
“We are therefore calling on the Taraba State Government, Kurmi Local Government Council and other relevant authorities to inspect the bridge and take immediate steps towards its rehabilitation or reconstruction,” Sunday said.
Another resident, Bulus Dogo, said restoring the bridge would improve connectivity and stimulate economic activities across Nyido-Tosso Ward and surrounding communities.
“Restoring the bridge would improve connectivity, facilitate the movement of people and goods and support economic activities within Nyido-Tosso Ward and surrounding communities,” he said.
A female farmer, Sikirat Jimoh, said the collapsed bridge had become a major obstacle for farmers who depend on the route to transport their produce to Baissa, the administrative headquarters of Kurmi Local Government Area.
Jimoh said the condition of the bridge had made transporting farm produce increasingly difficult, frustrating farmers and affecting their access to their major market.
“We are dying in silence as a result of this bridge that is at the verge of being washed away because transporting our farm produce to our main market in Baissa has begun to witness frustration,” she said.
The residents also appealed to community leaders, development organisations and other stakeholders to support efforts to draw the government’s attention to the infrastructure challenge.
However, the Chairman of the local government council and Taraba State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Moses Maihankeli, said his administration had concluded plans to fix the bridge.
Maihankeli, who said the bridge collapsed three days ago, assured residents that work would commence upon his return to Kurmi from Jalingo.
“My attention has been drawn to the collapsed bridge. So I hope to do something about it as soon as I go back to the local government,” Maihankeli said.
The residents warned that continued neglect of the bridge could worsen the situation, particularly during the rainy season when increased rainfall and possible flooding could further damage the route and compound movement difficulties.
They urged the authorities to treat the rehabilitation or reconstruction of the Kufai Bawuru Bridge as an urgent priority, stressing that restoring the link would ease transportation, improve access to markets and essential services, and support farming, trade and other economic activities across Nyido-Tosso Ward and neighbouring communities.
We are dying in silence – Farmers cry out over Taraba collapsed bridge