Residents of Ikot Mfon, a sleepy community in Etinan local government area of Akwa Ibom State have appealed to Governor Umo Eno to intervene in the their plights by rebuilding the collapsed Ikot Mfon/Ndiya Bridge which has allegedly claimed three lives.
LEADERSHIP learnt that the prefabricated bridge which was constructed by the military during the Nigerian civil war to aid soldiers crossing and advancement to the other side for safety, has been the only bridge used by motorists, trucks and pedestrians for evacuation of agricultural products to major markets.
A community leader, Mr Ekaette Akpan, who represented the village head explained on Tuesday, that more than three persons including school children have lost their lives while trying to cross the bridge.
Akpan, who was in company of the deputy village head, Obong Safety Tony, lamented that “since the collapse of the bridge linking the community with others 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 in the disruption of socio-economic 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 pleaded.
He disclosed that a member representing Etinan State Constituency at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, had 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, then 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 LGA, 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 neighbouring villages, as residents now use rickety boats on a daily basis to access educational facilities, healthcare services elsewhere, and to travel out of the community.
