No fewer than five communities in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State have been cut off following the sudden collapse on Monday morning of Eru Bridge, along Uzere/Asaba Ase Expressway.
The affected communities comprise Uzere, Ekregbesi, Asaba-Ase, together with some riverine communities notably Ikpe-Irri and Abare, among others.
Also, an unidentified commercial motorcycle rider who was said to be a victim of the sudden bridge collapse, is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital where he was rushed to after he reportedly fell on motion into the canal.
Witnesses told PUNCH Metro that the 29-year-old bridge, which had served as the major access route to some communities located at the bank of the Niger River, collapsed at about 8 o’clock Monday morning, thus causing a serious challenge to motorists and commuters, particularly the local business owners and farmers who ply the route on daily basis.
Consequently, residents of the affected communities have despatched a Save-Our-Souls (SOS) to the Federal Government urging the authorities to intervene immediately to prevent the situation from deteriorating.
President-General of oil-bearing Uzere community, Rotn. Brooklyn Essi described the incident as unfortunate, especially with the floods fast setting.
He lamented that there was no sign to indicate the imminent collapse of the 29-year-old bridge.
“I passed that place barely seven minutes before the bridge collapsed, around 8am,” Essi told journalists.
He disclosed that prior to the construction of the bridge in 1992, the alternative access road was one constructed by Shell, “but as of now, that road is washed off.”
He spoke further, “It (the collapsed bridge) is the only road that leads to Uzere presently, from which you can also access Asaba-Ase, which is at the bank of the River Niger, Nsibisi Area and all that. It is so unfortunate that it happened in this period because the floods are fast setting in. To access these towns is now a big problem except maybe by canoes.
“Right now, a proper work will have to be done. It is a Federal road, so we have to notify the Federal Ministry of Works so they can send their people down to see the extent of failure of the bridge and a portion of the road. And if in a few days nothing is done, part of the road will be washed off from what we have seen.
“We actually need the presence of the Federal Government seriously now to come help the Uzere, Ekregbisi, Abare, and Asaba-Ase people. In fact, this is the only link to the riverine areas. All of us have been cut off as I am talking now.”
