Following the Federal Government’s delay in repairing a fallen bridge on the road, youths and motorists in Benue State barricaded the Gboko expressway on Wednesday.
Over the weekend, severe rains destroyed the strategic bridge.
In response to the bridge collapse, a group of passionate teenagers, working under the name of Mbayion teenagers, came to the streets to urge the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene quickly and correct the issue.
The bridge is significant because it is part of a federal road network that connects Gboko to Aliade, close to Fidel Polytechnic in Benue State’s Gboko LGA.
This key transportation artery connects Enugu and other states in Nigeria’s southern area.
Its demise also had far-reaching consequences for the local people, cutting them off from the rest of the state and country.
Residents and cars were asked not to drive on the Gboko – Aliade road during the peaceful protest.
Mr Denen Agber, the youth group’s leader, stated that “desperate action is a result of several futile attempts by the community to undertake makeshift repairs on the road, culminating in our decision to block the road.”
Agber further stated that the poor condition of the road and bridge has caused significant discomfort and annoyance to commuters in the area.
According to Platinum Times, news of the demonstration reached Benue State Governor Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, who has deployed resources to handle the matter.
Hon. Itiza Imojime, Commissioner for Works and Housing, and other government officials were directed by Alia to assess the damage and provide a solution.
Imojime visited the community’s leader, Chief Moses Iortileyua, and urged him to tell his subjects to reopen the usable piece of the road to allow for human traffic.
In doing so, he assured the community head of an immediate response to alleviate the people’ hardships, while the state administration launched conversation with the Federal administration to seek a long-term solution to the road’s problems.
In response, Chief Iortileyua expressed profound gratitude to the Alia for his prompt intervention in preventing a breakdown in law and order.
The Ministry’s Director of Civil Engineering assured full compliance with the Commissioner’s directions, promising quick deployment to the site for repair work to begin by Thursday.