Hajiya Mamma Fati Ibrahim Hassan Lau, the Gimbiyar Lau, has urged federal authorities to prioritize the reconstruction of Namnai Bridge located in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State as a national emergency.
During a press conference on Sunday, Gimbiyar Lau, who tragically lost three family members in a boat accident at the collapsed bridge site on Saturday, appealed to both federal and state governments to urgently commence reconstruction of the long-neglected bridge. According to naijatrial, the accident at the collapsed bridge involved eight of her relatives.
While five were rescued, one body has been recovered, and two others are still missing as rescue operations continue into the third day.
She referred to the incident as a “preventable tragedy” and attributed it to years of governmental neglect, which has forced reliance on unsafe water transport, especially during the rainy season when river levels become dangerously high.
She urged Governor Agbu Kefas to apply more pressure on the federal government to make the bridge’s reconstruction a priority, emphasizing that the Namnai Bridge is vital not only for local communities but for the entire nation.
“The Jalingo–Wukari corridor, where the bridge is situated, serves as a crucial economic link between northern and southern Nigeria.
It plays a key role in the transportation of agricultural products, livestock, and goods, which supports commerce and promotes regional integration,” she stated.
While extending her sympathies to the affected families, particularly the Alkali Hassan Lau and Badikko families, as well as the residents of Lau, Gassol, Jalingo Council, and all Tarabans, she urged federal authorities to “quickly put the right measures in place to prevent future incidents.”