Bridge C0llapse Cuts Off Enugu Communities, Triggers Outcry Over Years Of Neglect

 

 

Bridge Collapse Cuts Off Enugu Communities, Triggers Outcry Over Years Of Neglect

The bridge, a vital link connecting Nkerefi to nearby communities such as Nara, Ugbawka, and Agbani, as well as serving as a route to Ebonyi State, gave way under the weight of a heavy-duty truck belonging to a construction company.

Residents of Mbanochain Nkerefi and Mbururu communities in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State have been left stranded and distressed following the collapse of the Ovu Bridge across the Ovu River.

The bridge, a vital link connecting Nkerefi to nearby communities such as Nara, Ugbawka, and Agbani, as well as serving as a route to Ebonyi State, gave way under the weight of a heavy-duty truck belonging to a construction company.

A reliable source, who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said the incident has cut off access for thousands of residents, disrupting daily life and transportation in the area.

“The collapse of the Ovu Bridge has not only disrupted the flow of goods and services but has also isolated Nkerefi, the second-largest town in Nkanu East Local Government Area, known for its thriving agricultural sector,” the source said.

A video and photo of the collapsed Ovu Bridge obtained by SaharaReporters show residents of the affected communities braving one of the river’s dangerous but only accessible points to cross, as they voiced their fears over the risks they now face.

In the footage, residents were seen wading through the fast-flowing Ovu River with their belongings, desperately trying to reach essential services and supplies outside their isolated communities.

Commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders) were also captured attempting to ride across the turbulent water, endangering their lives and means of livelihood.

The residents have appealed for urgent intervention from the Enugu State government led by Governor Peter Mbah, as well as the federal government under President Bola Tinubu.

“Our economy, which relies heavily on the production and transportation of agricultural products, is on the brink of collapse,” the source, who was among the residents that crossed through the fast-flowing water, said.

Searches by SaharaReporters showed a Facebook post by Nkerefi Nigeria page on April 13, 2021, where residents of the communities lamented that the terrible state of Ovu Bridge has “caused a protracted hardship for the people of Nkerefi in Enugu state.”

The post read, “This bridge has lasted decades, having been constructed during the Nigerian Civil War in the 60s, perhaps, by the military necessitated by war exigency.

“On different occasions, the people of Nkerefi have been thrown into untold hardship and unimaginable sufferings whenever the raftered iron and wooden bridge collapsed.”

The residents further lamented in the post: “Inhabitants of Nkerefi, an Nkanu enclave in the far southern Nkanu axis, are mostly farmers, traders and entrepreneurs.

“With the collapse of the Ovu bridge, the people of Nkerefi could only move their farm produce, wares and market stock to the nearest communities in Nkanu East and Nkanu West local government areas through Uburu, Ebonyi state, en route Oduma, Mpu, in Aninri local government area, making a detour at Agwu local government area, before driving back to Nkanu land.

“The implication? One has to spend five or six hours on a journey that shouldn’t take a 5 minutes drive.

“This could be likened to the biblical journey of the Israelites from Egypt which took forty years instead of forty days to reach their base.

“Sadly, successive administrations in Enugu state have treated the deathtrap, called bridge, with malicious abandonment and deliberate ostracization.

“The people of Nkerefi are dying. Life is becoming miserable with the states of their bridges. Ovu bridge is just one of those dangerous bridges abutting Nkerefi. There are still others far worse.”

Almost four years after the Facebook post, SaharaReporters was informed that the prolonged isolation had resulted in significant losses for farmers who could not transport their produce to markets.

“The situation is further complicated by the fact that a new Ovu Bridge has been under construction for over three years, with residents expressing frustration over the slow pace of work and alleged use of substandard materials.

“The prolonged delay has raised concerns about the safety and durability of the new bridge, leaving residents wondering if they will ever have a reliable route to transport their goods and access essential services,” the source said.

A report by Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group, showed that the “construction of Mini-Bridge at Ovu River, Nkerefi Community in Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State”, was awarded in 2022 with project code, ERGP202200136.

The project, facilitated by Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, a member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, was awarded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to Asnagi Limited at the sum of N63,750,000.

Also confirming the terrible state of the bridge and the challenges it has posed to the affected communities, Hon. David Ani, one of the leaders of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), who hails from the same Nkanu East LGA, told SaharaReporters, “The scene is a stark reminder of the desperation and frustration that has gripped the communities.

“The bridge collapse has had a devastating impact on the daily lives of residents, who are forced to risk their lives to access essential services and goods.

“The isolation of these communities has also affected the state’s economy, as agricultural products rot in the farms due to lack of transportation.

“The people of Nkerefi, Mbururu, and Nomeh towns, which are among the largest in Nkanu East LGA, are major producers of agricultural products in the state, and their isolation threatens the food security and economic stability of the region.”

According to Ani, the government must take immediate action to address the infrastructure deficit in the affected communities and ensure that the new bridges are constructed with safety and durability in mind.

He said, “The people of Nkanu East LGA deserve better infrastructure to support their economic activities and improve their quality of life.”

He noted that the fate of Nkerefi, Mbururu, and Nomeh communities hangs in the balance, and that it remains to be seen if the government will act swiftly to address the infrastructure deficit and support the economic activities of these communities.

“Top government officials, including the Commissioner for Science and Technology, who hail from the affected communities, are also affected by the bridge collapse,” Ani said.

“The isolation of these communities has significant implications for the state’s economy and governance.

“The government must prioritise the repair and construction of bridges in these communities to restore their lifeline to the rest of the world.

“As the government deliberates on the way forward, residents are left to wonder if they will ever have a reliable route to transport their goods and access essential services.

“The clock is ticking, and the fate of Nkerefi, Mbururu, and Nomeh towns hangs precariously in the balance.”

He stressed that the people are crying out for help, and that it is imperative that the government responds quickly and effectively to address the issue.

He said, “The construction of new bridges and the repair of existing ones are critical to the economic survival of these communities.

“The government must take urgent action to restore the bridges and ensure that the communities are connected to the rest of the world.

“The people of Nkanu East LGA are eagerly awaiting the government’s response and are hopeful that their plight will be addressed soon.”