Collapsed Ukanafun Bridge Worries Lawmaker, Appeals For Evacuation

The Member representing Ukanafun State Constituency, Hon Emem Etokabasi Udom has appealed to the State Government through the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources to to the aid of Ukanafun by evacuating the  bridge at Nkek Idim river which he said had collapsed over twenty years ago.

The lawmaker coming under a motion brought before the House of Assembly on Friday frowned at the various atrocities perpetrated against residents of the Area noting that, he does not want to experience another unforgettable crisis in his community a second time.

Hon. Udom noted that although the administration of the then Governor Godswill Akpabio had since constructed a new bridge, the unevacuated collapsed one had constituted a stumbling block to socio-economic development of the area while serving as a hide-out for criminals. 

"It is disheartening to note that since then, the said collapsed bridge is still domiciled in the river which barricades fishermen, canoe operators and farmers from conveying their products for livelihood hence, affecting the socio-economic progress of the peasants."

"Also worrisome, is the fact that the collapsed bridge is another hideout for hoodlums in the area inducing constant fright to their victims and neighbourhood who are afraid of being raped, robbed or murdered by restive youths who live in the collapsed bridge only to go out at night for their nefarious and unwholesome practices".

"Recall that between 2017 and 2019, there waa a breakdown of law and order leading to wanton loss of lives and property. Today, the remaining chunk of the hoodlums are using the collapsed bridge as their habitation building up for another round of insurgency in Ukanafun if proactive checks are not done."

"The river shore was a delivery and loading site for fine, coarse sand and river stones for construction but the collapsed bridge have totally blocked the delivery boats from accessing their delivery site, these have affected the cost of construction in the area as well as the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Local Government as well as increasing the unemployment statistics of the area," Emem wailed.

Speaking in support of the motion, included the member representing Ikono state Constituency, Rt. Hon. Asuquo Nana Udo and Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, Hon. Friday Udobia Udo who stated that it is the sole responsibility of the  Ministry of Works to evacuate the bridge and that they should be contacted for immediate attention. 

The Speaker Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Udeme Otong in his submission, referred the motion to the House Committee on Works and Fire Service for further legislative action.