Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has appealed to his colleagues in the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) to throw their weight behind calls for the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to urgently reconstruct collapsed and dilapidated bridges across Taraba State.
Governor Kefas made the plea in his welcome address during the 12th meeting of the Forum, held at the EXCO Chambers, TY Danjuma House, Jalingo, over the weekend.
“As host and as the voice of the people of Taraba State, I appeal to this August Forum to press on the NEDC to expedite action on the collapsed and threatened bridges in our region—specifically the Namnai collapsed bridge and Tella bridge in Gassol Local Government,” Kefas said.
He further highlighted other bridges in dire condition, including Mayo Kam and Suntai bridges in Bali, Pamanga bridge in Ardo Kola, Lasheke bridge in Mararraban Pantisawa, and Malam Audu bridge in Yorro. He also cited the Balaifi bridge in Karim Lamido and the Bashin multiple cell culverts in Jalingo, all requiring immediate reconstruction.
“These bridges remain critical lifelines for mobility and security. Their restoration, reconstruction, and reinforcement cannot be delayed,” the governor stressed.
Many of the listed bridges, spanning highways and feeder roads, have either totally collapsed or deteriorated to unsafe levels. The Namnai bridge, which has been down for over a year, has become a deadly hazard, with several lives lost and properties destroyed as vehicles plunge into the water or as desperate residents attempt risky crossings.
Governor Kefas urged the Forum to take a united stand in pressing the NEDC for urgent intervention, stressing that the safety and economic wellbeing of the region’s people depended on it.
