Residents of Nyido-Tosso Ward in Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State have appealed to the government to urgently repair the collapsed Kufai Bawuru Bridge, warning that the situation is disrupting farming and movement in the area.
The bridge, which connects communities in the ward with other parts of the local government, has become difficult and dangerous to use following its collapse.
Residents said the development was affecting the movement of people, farm produce and essential goods, with farmers particularly struggling to transport their produce to Baissa, the administrative headquarters of Kurmi LGA and a major market for the area.
A female farmer, Sikirat Jimoh, said the deteriorating condition of the bridge was making it increasingly difficult for farmers to reach their market.
“We are dying in silence as a result of this bridge that is at the verge of being washed away because transporting our farm produce to our main market in Baissa has begun to witness frustration,” she said.
Another resident, Tafa Sunday, called on the Taraba State Government, Kurmi Local Government Council and other relevant authorities to inspect the bridge and begin rehabilitation or reconstruction.
Bulus Dogo, another resident, said restoring the bridge would improve connectivity and support economic activities in Nyido-Tosso and neighbouring communities.
The residents also expressed concern that continued deterioration of the route could affect access to schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services, particularly during the rainy season.
However, the Chairman of Kurmi Local Government Council and Taraba State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Moses Maihankeli, said his administration had concluded plans to fix the bridge.
Maihankeli said the bridge collapsed three days earlier and promised that work would begin after his return to Kurmi from Jalingo.
“My attention has been drawn to the collapsed bridge. So I hope to do something about it as soon as I go back to the local government,” he said.
The development comes amid wider concerns over poor transport infrastructure in Kurmi, where residents have previously complained that deteriorated roads and bridges restrict movement and hamper economic activities.
The residents urged the authorities to treat the bridge as an emergency, warning that further damage during the rainy season could worsen transportation and economic difficulties in the area.
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