Some people of Umuawulu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra state, yesterday, protested over the deplorable condition of Habba bridge, which, according to them, have turned a deathtrap.
The bridge, which is the major access road through Umuawulu community, the permanent site of National Orientation Camp—Mbaukwu/Umuawulu, and Awgbu, Amaokpala in Orumba North Council area and some communities in Imo and Abia States, respectively have been partially washed away by flood.
The protesters alleged that state government refused to include their name on signages installed on roads to Nibo and Awka in Awka South, describing it as a sign that Umuawulu was no longer part of Anambra state.
A community leader and activist, Comrade Osita Obi, noted that two years ago, state government carried out palliative works on the bridge, promising to construct a new one but since then nothing has been done.
Comrade Obi informed that stakeholders from the community have officially written to the State government reminding it of the project all no avail.
The protesters lamented that as agrarian communities the deplorable condition of the bridge is seriously affected farmers and other commuters including the NYSC members who use the road everyday appealed for state government intervention on the Haba bridge.
They appealed to government to within one month, construct a new Habba bridge and effect the corrections on the signage, threatening to mobilise for mass action if government fails to address their plight.
Also speaking, a banker in the community, Mr Peter Nwafor, said the condition of the bridge so much impacts negatively on their socioeconomic activities, including transactions of agri-produce, as well as grounded some institutions due to low patrons.
On his part, Comrade Chukwuma Nwankwo, alleged that at least two persons either die or get maimed on the spot every year, because no vehicle passes there without slowing down to avoid damaging their vehicles.
According to him, after slowing down, they have to change speed in order to climb the mountain, and most times trailers and other heavy duty vehicles while trying to do this, lose control and roll down to clash into Habba bridge, killing fish and other marine animals.
He revealed that last year, four people died while their town union secretary general got paralised when a trailer going to offload cement rolled down at the spot.
Reacting in a phone interview, Mr Marcel Ifejiofor, Anambra State Commissioner for Works, said they have directed the State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ) to the brdige, while the State Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA) was already desinging a replacement to the signages.
