Collapsed bridge: A cry for help from Ndi Ebe Abam, Abia State, Nigeria

Barely four weeks to the commencement of the general elections in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, about 9,500 citizens of Ndi Ebe Abam in Arochukwu Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria, are yet to see any sign of help from Abia State and the Federal Government of Nigeria over the reconstruction of a  collapsed bridge known as Igwu Bridge, which connects them with other communities and the world.

Recalling how their predicament started, the Eze Ogo (Chief) of Ndi Ebe Abam, Chief Dike Iroegbu, said their problems began when the bridge collapsed around 4.45 pm on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, when a 25-ton truck conveying chippings to a building site in Ndi Ebe Abam tried to pass through it. 

He added that he’s glad that no life was lost when the bridge collapsed, though the driver of the truck and his conductor sustained minor injuries and have since been treated while the truck had been evacuated from the river few days after the incident took place.

  In his words: "The Igwu Bridge was first constructed on May 7, 1960. But on August 1, 1984, it collapsed when a caterpillar tried to pass through it and the weight gave in. It was reconstructed on August 24, 1984.
"I don't know whether the reason why we are yet to receive any help from both Abia State and the Federal Government of Nigeria was due to their preparation and campaigns for the upcoming election.
"I hereby appeal to  Nigerians, Abia State and Federal Governments to remember that a town known for her agricultural production such as rice, yam, cassava, corn, pineapple, mango, orange and other cash crops have been cut off from their neighbours. Due to the collapsed bridge, many farmers are passing through difficult challenges to convey their farm produce to markets in the state while students from neighbouring towns have enrolled in other secondary schools.
"Please help Ndi Ebe Abam," he appealed to the governments and the world.

Collapsed Igwu Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stranded! people are struggling to cross to Ndi Ebe Abam.

Abandoned bridge

Collapsed bridge submerged by Igwu River which overflowed its bank