A bridge constructed in 1970 after the Nigeria civil war at Ikot Mfon community, Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has collapsed and killed three persons in the last three years.
Residents of the community therefore sent a passionate appeal to the state government to come to it aide and ensure reconstruction of the collapsed Ikot Mfon/Ndiya bridge to save further lost of lives in the area.
The community leader Mr Ekaette Akpan while conducting our reporter round the collapse bridge said the it was constructed by the military during the Nigerian civil remains the only bridge used by motorists, trucks for transportation of agricultural produc from the area.
Akpan who represented the village head told Daily Sun on Wednesday that more than three people including school children have lost their lives while trying to cross the bridge.
The Leader who was accompanied by the deputy village head, Obong Safety Tony, said since the collapse of the bridge linking the community with others to other communities in 2011, things have become increasingly difficult for the residents of the community.
According to him residents of the community have been completely cut off from the rest of the communities, resulting to disruption of both social interactions and business activities.
“Since the bridge collapsed in 2011, more than three persons have lost their lives. Apart from that, we have also lost economic activities because these road and bridge are the only access points across to Ndiya from which one can access Eket, Oron and other parts of Akwa Ibom State.
“We therefore want to passionately appeal to governor, Umo Eno to take action and save further lives” Akpan said
He disclosed that a member representing Etinan State Constituency at the State House of Assembly Hon. Uduak Ekpo-Ufot
in July 2023, presented the issue of the collapsed bridge and the road, along with the need for immediate government intervention, before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
Ekpo-Ufot, in his motion, had noted that the bridge, built around 1970, had caused the loss of lives of people, including school children, while the residents of Ikot Mfon village have been cut off from their neighbours in Ndiya, Nsit Ubium local government area, where they used to access education and healthcare services.
According to the lawmaker, the situation deteriorated in 2000 when the bridge collapsed, crippling economic and social activities between Ikot Mfon and the neighboring villages, as residents now use rickety boats on daily basis to access educational facilities, healthcare services elsewhere and to travel out of the community.
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