The Traffic

FG Races Against Time to Rebuild Collapsed Taraba Bridge

By Achimi Muktar

In a swift response to a devastating infrastructure collapse, the Federal Government has announced that rehabilitation of the collapsed Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State will commence next week—following last Wednesday’s flood that washed away the critical commuter link.

The bridge, which served as a lifeline for travelers connecting Taraba North to the rest of Nigeria, was replaced with a makeshift structure after a previous collapse. But heavy rainfall turned disaster into crisis, sweeping away even the temporary fix.

On Thursday, Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari, visited the scene, expressing deep sympathy for the affected communities and commuters stranded due to the loss of access.

“Work Begins Within a Week”

“This location requires immediate attention, and we will take all necessary steps to resolve the problem,” Maigari said during the inspection. He assured residents that full-scale rehabilitation will kick off within the week.

Maigari also revealed that the North East Development Commission (NEDC) had previously mobilized engineers to the site and was only waiting for official clearance to begin work—a process now fast-tracked by the recent disaster.

Bridge One of 12 Tagged for Emergency Fix

The Namnai Bridge is not alone. According to the minister, it is one of 12 bridges across the North East region designated for emergency rehabilitation.

“This is not an isolated incident. The Federal Government is fully committed to providing long-term infrastructure solutions in this region,” Maigari noted.

More Help on the Way

In addition to Namnai, the Taraba State Government is also seeking federal intervention in the rehabilitation of Mayokam, Suntai, and Bantaje bridges, as well as the Akwana Road project, which was recently approved.

The Ministry of Regional Development has pledged to collaborate closely with the state government to restore mobility, boost economic activity, and shield the region from the devastating impacts of seasonal flooding.

With urgency now driving the agenda, all eyes are on the federal response timeline. For thousands of road users and local businesses, the hope is that this is more than just another promise—and that Taraba will soon have its vital artery restored.