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The residents of Etinan have been thrown into sorrow as the collapsed bridge claims three (3) lives
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Victims including school children have been identified as part of the loss.
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Residents are calling on the government for urgent intervention.
The Mfon/Ndiya collapsed bridge in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has sent three persons including school children to their early graves. The bridge has been dilapidated since 2011. Despite the efforts of the residents in seeking help to repair the bridge, nothing has been done about it unfortunately.
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The collapsed bridge which serves as a link for trade, transportation and movement of agricultural products and other goods was built in 1970 by the military government. As an important passage for both humans and goods, the bridge continues to be used by the residents even in its bad state as there are little or no other alternatives for the residents to adopt.
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From the reports that reached the desk of Daily Report Nigeria, the bridge collapsed in 2011 but nothing has been done to salvage it despite the incessant plea of the residents to the government.
It was gathered today that three lives including that of school children have been lost as the situation has worsened over time.
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Speaking with pain and regret, the community leader of Etinan, Mr, Akpan Ekaette on behalf of the village heads informed journalists that the community has suffered immensely since from the collapsed bridge. Mr. Akpan said it has disrupted trading, social and many economic activities including access to commutation since the collapse. And the bitter one is the lives lost through it.
According to him, “Since the bridge collapsed, more than three people have died while trying to cross the bridge, including school children. Apart from the loss of lives, our economic activities have also suffered because this road and the collapsed bridge are the only access to Ndiya, which connects us to Eket, Oron, and other parts of Akwa Ibom.”
Mr. Akpan together with his deputy head and other Chiefs who stood with him made a plea to the Akwa Ibom governor, governor Umo- Eno to come to their aid and salvage the situation.
On further investigation of the issue, we found that this case has been taken up in the past by Hon. Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, honorable member representing Etinan State Constituency, yet nothing has been done. Hon. Uduak was said to have presented the matter before the House in July 2023, soliciting that the government intervene in the issue but the matter was not given the attention it deserves.
He further disclosed that if urgent intervention didn’t arrive early for the community, there might be ar more casualties.
