2027 Politics Stall Reconstruction of Namnai Bridge

• Minister Uba Maigeri Stops Craneburg from Site, NEDC Yet to Mobilize Contractor
• Residents Suffer, Say Namnai Bridge Vital to State Economy

Just days after the Taraba State Government announced the award of the N19 billion contract for the reconstruction of the collapsed Namnai Bridge to Craneburg Construction Company, a dramatic twist has stalled progress on the much-anticipated project.

The Minister of State for Regional Development, Hon. Uba Maigeri, who hails from Taraba State, visited the bridge site alongside surveyors and quantity engineers from the North East Development Commission (NEDC). During the visit, the minister declared that the federal government, through the NEDC, would take charge of the reconstruction, stating that work would commence within days.

The minister's announcement effectively halted Craneburg's mobilization to the site. However, weeks after the intervention, the NEDC has yet to mobilize any contractor to begin reconstruction, leaving residents frustrated and the project in limbo.

The development has stirred political tension in the state, with many observers suggesting that partisan rivalry may be behind the move. Political analysts accuse federal actors, particularly opposition politicians from Taraba aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), of stalling the project to undermine the PDP-led state government.

"The opposition politicians in Taraba are playing politics with the reconstruction of the bridge," said a concerned resident. "They have the influence in the Federal Government and the APC to ensure this bridge is reconstructed without delay, but instead, they are obstructing progress to make it seem like nothing is working in the state ahead of 2027."

Community members and civil society groups argue that if the state government had been allowed to proceed with the project through Craneburg, work would have advanced significantly by now.

"Now, nothing is happening on the bridge, and our people are the ones suffering," lamented a youth leader from Gassol Local Government Area.

As the 2025 rainy season intensifies, residents of Gassol Local Government Area in Taraba State, as well as travelers and commercial drivers, are decrying worsening hardship following the continued collapse of the Namnai Bridge—a vital transportation link between Taraba and other  States.

The bridge, which was washed away during the 2024 floods, has remained unrepaired nearly a year later. Over the weekend, a heavy downpour rendered the area completely inaccessible, leaving scores of passengers stranded in Namnai, Gassol Local Government.

According to eyewitnesses, the rainfall made the already treacherous terrain impassable for vehicles. One of the stranded passengers, Mr. Ezekiel Adamu, described the situation as the "worst" he had experienced.

"The collapse of the Namnai Bridge has been a major concern for residents and travelers, and today's rainfall has only added to the woes," he said. "Efforts are being made to find alternative routes, but for now, passengers remain stranded."

The bridge once served as a major route for travelers, farmers, and commercial drivers connecting Taraba to Nigeria's southern region. Its collapse has disrupted daily life and crippled economic activities in the region.

With access to central trade routes cut off, commuters are forced to navigate alternative bush paths that are often riddled with potholes and prone to flooding. These routes have become nearly impassable during heavy rains, causing frequent vehicle breakdowns and hours-long delays.

Musa Ibrahim, a commercial driver on the Jalingo–Makurdi route, lamented the toll the situation is taking on their livelihoods.

"We are suffering. Sometimes we spend an entire day navigating through bush paths, and we still risk breaking down or getting stuck," he said.

Drivers report constant vehicle damage, rising fuel costs, and a significant drop in passenger traffic. Some transporters have abandoned the corridor entirely.

The impact is also severe on local farmers who can no longer transport produce to major markets in Wukari and Makurdi. Crops are rotting in the fields, and middlemen are exploiting the situation by offering farmers meager prices for their goods.

Small-scale traders in Namnai and surrounding communities say business activity has slowed considerably, with some forced to shut down. Youth unemployment is on the rise, and frustration among residents continues to grow.

Despite numerous appeals from traditional leaders, civil society groups, and local stakeholders, the Taraba State Government has yet to initiate reconstruction work on the bridge. Many community members accuse authorities of neglecting their plight.

"The collapse happened almost a year ago, and nothing has been done. Are we not part of Taraba State?" asked Aisha Saleh, a trader in Namnai.

Professor Jerome Nyameh described the situation as a humanitarian and economic crisis, warning that the continued collapse is causing long-term damage to the state's economy.

"Reconstructing the bridge is not just about infrastructure—it is essential for restoring economic growth and development," Nyameh said. "By rebuilding the bridge, we can boost trade, improve market access, and create jobs. This will raise living standards and attract investments."

He called on both the federal and state governments to prioritize the reconstruction of the Namnai Bridge. He also urged National Assembly members to bring the issue before the Ministry of Works.

"Our people deserve the best. It is our collective responsibility to ensure their welfare. By working together, we can rebuild the bridge, revitalize the local economy, and improve the lives of our people," Professor Nyameh concluded.

As the rains continue, residents of Namnai and its surrounding areas brace for more hardship, while hope for intervention remains uncertain.