By Izunna Okafor, Awka
What could be better described as a tragedy occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, following the collapse of the popular Ụrasị River bridge at Umunuko Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Located along a federal road, the collapsed bridge, which had spanned beyond 40 years, is said to be a significant gateway to Imo State, Okija, Orsumoghu, and other many other Anambra South communities through Ukpor.
The collapse of the bridge, which reportedly occurred at about 6:50AM on Wednesday, came while a tipper truck fully loaded with gravel was crossing through it, as its weight overwhelmed the weak bridge, leading to its partial breakdown, while the fell into the river, with all its contents and occupants.
This was corroborated by a video currently trending on social media, showing the truck and the gravel inside the Ụrasị River, while the occupants of the vehicle were seen struggling to come out safe, together with people who rushed to help rescue them.
The incident not only rendered the bridge impassable for any kind of vehicle, but also made it a deathtrap for pedestrians who would now have to exercise highest level of caution while crossing it.
According to a voiceover that accompanies the video, prior to the incident, there had been several efforts to restrict heavy duty vehicles from using the bridge, which all yielded no positive fruit, as unknown persons would always go at night and dismantle any barricade mounted thereon to prevent the heavy duty vehicles from using it.
Attempts by this reporter to speak with the Nnewi South Local Government Chairman, Hon. Van George Ezeogidi, on the incident, proved abortive, as he was yet to respond to his call as at the time of filing this report.
On his own part, when contacted, the President General of Ukpor Improvement Union, Chief Ikenna Mbazulike Amaechi, who confirmed the collapse, assured to furnish the reporter with more details about the unfortunate incident and the bridge.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Local Government Chairman on Community Affairs and Homeland, Chief IG Nwawulu, who hails from Ukpor community, also confirmed the incident and further revealed that there was no casualty.
While recalling that the bridge was constructed during the tenure of former Governor Jim Nwobodo; Chief Nwawulu, who is also the immediate-past President General of Ukpor Improvement Union further reaffirmed to this reporter that the community leadership and concerned citizens had made several attempts to prevent heavy duty vehicles from using the bridge to prevent its collapse, all to no avail, as unidentified persons usually dismantled the barricaded mounted for that purpose, thereby making it passable for such vehicles.
He also highlighted some other steps and interventional efforts so far made since after the incident to salvage the situation.
On his own part, when contacted by this reporter, the Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoma, said the Ministry had been notified about the incident and would deploy a special team to the scene on Thursday for an on-the-spot assessment and further actions.
Efforts by this reporter to speak with the Spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Command, RC Margaret Onobe, on the incident proved abortive, as she refused to pick calls or respond to message of inquiries from the reporter as at the time of filing this report.
Watch the video below:
