My Wife’s Silent Fears at the Broken Namnai Bridge

 

By Ibrahim Gaddafi Tanko

 

Penultimate two weeks ago, it was my turn to experience the pains and agonies that commuters have long endured while attempting to cross the Namnai River. This river, which once had a functioning bridge, lost it to torrential rainfall during the previous year's rainy season.

 

On arrival at the scene, I was met with what could only be described as a theatre of chaos. Cars and articulated vehicles formed long, winding queues, each struggling to meander through the riverbed in a desperate bid to continue their journey. Those who were less fortunate ended up stuck in the river, at the mercy of nature.

 

A TSTC bus, similarly trapped, had to be rescued by a heavy-duty trailer belonging to the Dangote company. The successful pull-out drew applause from onlookers gathered at the riverbank, which has since evolved into a hotspot for small-scale businesses courtesy of the chronic traffic congestion.

 

I was not alone. Traveling with my newly wedded bride, who has lived all her life in Jalingo, it was the first time the young woman would face such alarming danger. There she sat frozen in fear as the car struggled to swim its way out of the muddy waters. To put it plainly, it was a traumatic experience for her and her relatives, all of whom had to risk their lives in the ensuing melee.

 

Since the collapse of the bridge, there has been persistent public outcry for its reconstruction, given its strategic relevance as part of a Trunk A federal highway a category that falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

To his credit, the lawmaker representing the Bali/Gassol Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, Hon. Jafar Yakubu Chiroma, acted proactively. He facilitated the provision of a ferry service though I am informed it has since broken down and subsequently moved a motion on the floor of the House, drawing national attention to the plight of his constituents.

 

Yet, months have passed and no meaningful respite has come, despite the fact that the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, hails from Taraba State and holds supervisory control over the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

 

Frustrated by the lingering inaction, Governor Agbu Kefas took the bold step of approving a multi-billion naira contract for the reconstruction of the bridge. Shortly after, the Honourable Minister appeared at the site with a press entourage, pledging that work would commence the following week. Sadly, that promise remains unfulfilled.

 

While politics and blame games seem to have hijacked the Namnai Bridge conversation, it is high time stakeholders rose above partisan lines and focused on providing genuine relief for the people. The continued delay in the bridge's reconstruction does not just hamper commerce flowing into Taraba it also endangers lives plying the route every day.

 

 

Gaddafi is the Special Assistant on Media to Hon. Sadiq Abbas Tafida of the Federal House of Representatives