A devastating boat accident has once again thrown the spotlight on the long-abandoned Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State. The mishap, which occurred at the site of the collapsed bridge, claimed the life of at least one person, left two others missing, and has sparked renewed calls for immediate government intervention.
In a statement issued by her Public Relations Officer, Nazif Umar Lau, the Gimbiyar Lau, Hajiya Mamma Fati Ibrahim Hassan Lau, whose own family members were among the victims, has issued an urgent appeal to both the Federal and Taraba State Governments to commence the reconstruction of the vital bridge.
According to her, the tragedy—which involved eight members of her family—could have been prevented if authorities had acted years ago to replace the collapsed infrastructure.
Out of the eight individuals involved in the mishap, five were rescued, one body was recovered, and two remain missing two days after the incident.
Visibly shaken but resolute, Hajiya Mamma Fati described the incident as a direct consequence of governmental neglect and infrastructural failure.
“This is not just a personal loss—it is a wake-up call,” she said. “The Namnai Bridge has been abandoned almost a year after it collapsed, and communities have been forced to depend on unsafe boats to cross the river, especially during the rainy season when the water levels are dangerously high.”
Hajiya Mamma Fati passionately urged the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, to impress on the Federal Government, stressing that the reconstruction of the Namnai Bridge should not be treated as a local issue but as a matter of national importance.
“The bridge is located along the Jalingo–Wukari route, a major corridor linking northern and southern Nigeria,” she explained. “It facilitates the movement of agricultural produce, livestock, and essential goods, contributing significantly to national economic growth, food security, and regional integration.”
She further emphasized that the socio-economic implications of the collapsed bridge extend beyond Gassol or even Taraba State. The road network, if fully functional, supports trade and commercial activities between the North and South of the country. Its current dilapidated state has led to increased transportation costs, delayed deliveries, and now, tragic loss of lives.
The Gimbiyar Lau expressed condolences to the bereaved families, especially the Alkali Hassan Lau and Badikko families. She also sympathized with the people of Lau, Gassol, and Jalingo Local Government Areas, as well as Taraba State at large.
“This is a collective loss. We are mourning, but we are also calling for action. The government must not wait for more lives to be lost before doing what is right,” she added.
She prayed for the departed souls and called on all relevant authorities—both federal and state—to prioritize the bridge’s reconstruction as a national emergency project.
As the search continues for the two still-missing individuals, communities along the Jalingo–Wukari road are once again gripped by grief and frustration, with many asking how many more lives must be lost before the government intervenes.
