Bridge linking Taraba, Plateau collapses after heavy downpour

A heavy rainstorm has collapsed a major bridge linking part of Taraba State and three Local Government Areas of Southern Plateau State.

Affected residents who use the collapsed bridge daily, said a 24-hour downpour washed away the said bridge.

They also reported that the bridge had been undergoing rehabilitation by a contractor, who seems to have abandoned the project.

The Tukung bridge, constructed about 20 years ago, links Langtang, Shendam and Mikang local government areas, rendering commuters on Shendam, Yelwa-Nshar/ Garkawa route stranded.

Though no death was recorded as a result of the collapse, it has prevented free flow of motorists to other parts of the Southern Plateau State for the past two days.

A member of state house of assembly, representing Shendam constituency, Henry Yunkwap, who visited the site of the collapsed bridge on Saturday, appealed to the government to help amend the bridge immediately to prevent a major unforeseen disaster.

According to the legislator, the said Tukung bridge collapse, was the second, because the contractor handing the Shendam, Yelwa-Nshar/ Garkawa road has abandoned the project.

Mr. Yunkwap, who is the majority leader of the Plateau State house of assembly, described the collapsed bridge as a death trap to his constituents.

“This is indeed a sad development. I am calling on the government to come to the aid of the my constituents, the present state of this bridge could cause a major disaster if not fixed. Government should compel the contractor handing this bridge to return to site immediately and fix the bridge.”