By Kelvin Ohoror
A motorcycle rider has been hospitalised, following the sudden collapse of Eru Bridge, along Uzere/Asaba-Ase Expressway in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. The visit to the area by our correspondent indicated that a section of the 30 years old bridge has caved -in as vehicles and motorcycles coming from Emede, Oleh and other Isoko Communities to Uzere turned back to seek alternative routes, just as those coming from Uzere axis could not access the road.
Some of the communities include Uzere, Ekregbesi, Asaba-Ase, as well as riverine communities such as Ikpide-Irri, Abare, Canan- Irri, Ogbetuo among others.
The motorcycle rider, who is a victim of the incident, is currently at an undisclosed hospital with doctors battling to save his life. The bridge, which collapsed at about 8:00 AM on Monday, is said to be the major access route to some communities located at the bank of the Niger River. The area is among the flood-prone zones in the state just as the bridge is a majorly plied by motorists and commuters some of whom are farmers and traders.
Speaking to journalists on the development, President-General of Uzere community, Mr Brooklyn Essi described the incident as unfortunate, especially with the floods fast setting in.
“It is the only road that leads to Uzere presently, from which you can also access Asaba-Ase, which is at the bank of the River Niger, Nsibisi area and all that. “It is so unfortunate that it happened this period because the floods are fast setting in. To access these towns is now a big problem except maybe by canoes.
“Right now, proper work will have to be done. It is a federal road, so we have to notify the Federal Ministry of Works so they can send their people down to see the extent of failure of the bridge and a portion of the road. And if in a few days nothing is done, part of the road will be washed off from what we have seen,” he said.
Continuing, “We actually need the presence of the Federal Government seriously now to come help the Uzere people, Ekregbisi, Abare, Asaba-Ase. In fact, this is the only link to the riverine areas. All of us have been cut off as I am talking now” the community PG stated. He added that there was no sign to indicate the imminent collapse of the bridge, and that efforts were on to draw the attention of the state Ministry of Works to the development.
On his part, the former President General and patron of Isoko Development Union, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, appealed to the state government for urgent solution as the devastation is more than what the local government council can handle.
