As the 2025 rainy season intensifies, residents of Gassol local government council in Taraba State are experiencing worsening hardship due to the continued collapse of the Namnai Bridge, a critical infrastructure connecting Taraba and Benue States.
The bridge, which was washed away during the 2024 floods, has remained unrepaired for nearly a year, severely disrupting transportation, commerce, and daily life in the region.
Once serving as a vital artery for travelers, farmers, and commercial drivers connecting Taraba to southern Nigeria, the Namnai Bridge's absence has forced commuters to rely on dangerous alternative routes that are poorly maintained and highly susceptible to flooding.
Severe Impact on Transportation and Commerce
Commercial drivers have been among the hardest hit by the bridge's collapse. Musa Ibrahim, who operates on the Jalingo–Makurdi route, told reporters that drivers now spend entire days navigating treacherous bush paths, facing constant risks of breakdowns and getting stranded.
"We are suffering. Sometimes we spend an entire day navigating through bush paths, and we still risk breaking down or getting stuck," Ibrahim lamented.
The alternative routes, riddled with potholes and vulnerable to flooding, have become nearly impassable during heavy downpours. Many transporters have abandoned the corridor entirely due to increased vehicle maintenance costs, higher fuel consumption, and declining passenger numbers.
Economic Devastation in Local Communities
The economic impact extends beyond transportation. Farmers in Namnai and surrounding communities can no longer transport their produce to major markets in Wukari and Makurdi, resulting in crops rotting in fields. Middlemen have reportedly exploited the situation by offering meager prices for goods.
With fewer goods reaching local markets, business activity has slowed dramatically. Small traders have been forced to close shop, contributing to rising unemployment among youth in the area.
"The collapse happened almost a year ago, and nothing has been done. Are we not part of Taraba State?" questioned Aisha Saleh, a trader in Namnai, expressing the growing frustration among residents.
Calls for Government Intervention
Despite numerous appeals from traditional leaders, civil society groups, and local stakeholders, the state government has yet to begin reconstruction of the bridge. Community members accuse authorities of neglecting their plight.
As the rainy season worsens conditions in the area, residents are renewing their calls for urgent government intervention. They argue that rebuilding the Namnai Bridge is not just about restoring infrastructure but about reviving livelihoods, ensuring safety, and reconnecting communities.
Until action is taken, travelers and drivers plying the route maintain that their suffering will continue, along with their appeals to be seen and heard by government officials.
