The Federal Government has come under severe criticism for its continued neglect of the collapsed Namnai Bridge on the Jalingo-Wukari highway in Taraba State, one year after the infrastructure failure.
Professor John Ajai, a university don, has voiced strong disapproval over what he describes as the government's "failure of national duty" in addressing the critical situation that has left thousands of commuters, traders, and students relying on dangerous makeshift ferry crossings.
The bridge, situated on a federal Trunk A road, serves as a vital link connecting Benue, Taraba, and Adamawa states, as well as joining the North Central with the North East and North West regions of Nigeria. Despite its strategic importance, no repair or reconstruction work has commenced since its collapse.
In a statement released to journalists on Wednesday in Jalingo, Professor Ajai recounted his personal harrowing experience while attempting to cross the damaged route last week.
"The boat's propeller got stuck in the sand. We couldn't berth. Passengers had to be evacuated under tense and unsafe conditions. The buses on board remained stranded for more than thirty minutes. It was divine mercy that prevented tragedy that day," he stated.
The academic emphasized that the situation poses not merely an inconvenience but a daily threat to human lives and significantly disrupts economic and social activities throughout the region.
Professor Ajai pointed out that neither the Ministry of Works and Housing nor the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has taken any visible steps to address the situation. No contractors have been mobilized, and no official timelines have been issued for repairs.
He also called on federal lawmakers representing Taraba State to break their silence and advocate for urgent federal intervention.
"You may not be directly responsible for executing federal works," he addressed the legislators, "but your voices matter. Your silence also speaks volumes."
The professor questioned whether such neglect would have occurred if the bridge were located in Abuja or Lagos, urging the Federal Government to treat the situation with the urgency it demands given its impact on interstate commerce and citizen safety.
The collapsed Namnai Bridge situation highlights broader concerns about infrastructure maintenance and emergency response priorities across Nigeria's federal road network, particularly in regions outside major metropolitan centers.
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