Abandoned AKHA motion leaves Etinan communities isolated as Ikot Mfon/Ndiya bridge remains unrepaired

• Rt Hon Udeme Otong, Speaker, AKHA; Etinan lawmaker, Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, & former lawmaker, Barr Aniefiok Dennis 

Itoro Bassey

In a clear reminder of the pressing infrastructure challenges facing some areas in Akwa Ibom State, the abandoned motion previously presented in the State House of Assembly regarding the collapsed Ikot Mfon/Ndiya bridge, which connects Etinan and Nsit Ubium local government areas, has left several communities in a difficult situation.

Despite repeated calls for intervention by lawmakers, the situation has remained unresolved. This has worsened the plight of residents, who are now cut off from essential services, schools, and markets.

The current condition of the bridge, which once served as a vital passage for residents and visitors, was first brought to the attention of the 7th Akwa Ibom State House in October 2019 through a motion by former Etinan lawmaker Barr. Aniefiok Dennis Akpan. The motion was seconded by Barr. Otobong Bob, the member representing the Nsit Ubium state constituency, who is now the House Leader.

Barr Akpan, who highlighted the dangers posed by the collapsed bridge, appealed for government intervention, even though it is a federal route, to alleviate the suffering of the people. At that time, the former lawmaker urged the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to take urgent action to address the situation.

“In 2011, a truckload of kernels was on this bridge when it collapsed. The three people in that truck died,” said Mr. Ekerette Akpan, a resident of Ikot Mfon, as he sadly recounted the ordeal of the community to journalists during a recent tour.

In July 2023, the issue was revisited in the 8th Assembly by the current lawmaker representing Etinan, Engr. Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, who made a compelling case for immediate government attention.

“Since the bridge collapsed in July 2000, economic activities in these communities have come to a standstill. Traveling to access healthcare services and educational facilities has equally remained tall tasks. And most unfortunate is the fact that many lives have been lost, including those of schoolchildren,” Ekpo-Ufot said.

The affected communities of Ikot Obio Eka, Ikot Mfon, Ikot Ibok, Ikot Nte, Ikot Umiange Ede, Ikot Ukpong, Ndiya, and their surrounding areas now find themselves isolated, with children unable to attend school and residents unable to access hospitals or other essential services.

The collapse bridge has not only disrupted daily life but has also raised concerns about the long-term implications for the health and education of the young people in the affected communities.

Local leaders and residents have repeatedly expressed their frustration over the lack of response from the state government, and they have emphasised how that the situation requires urgent attention.

“We feel abandoned. We are pleading for help,” said Jonathan Abasiubong, the project coordinator of Ikot Nte village. “Our children are suffering, and we cannot afford to wait any longer for the government to act.”

Another resident from Ikot Mfon, Gregory Ukpe, lamented: “We need our voices to be heard. Our lives depend on this bridge. We are begging the state and federal government to take immediate action before more lives are lost.”

During a press briefing for the Third Legislative Year held at the Assembly Complex on Thursday, October 16, Jerry Anson Otu, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, among the achievements of the House, emphasised the importance of lawmakers’ motions in drawing the Executive’s attention to the needs of the people.

Otu said, “The various committees have been very active in their oversight functions, as evidenced by visits to ongoing project sites to ensure that they are being executed according to specifications and establishment of reason(s) for any delays (if any)”.

“The inaction surrounding the collapsed Ikot Mfon/Ndiya bridge and other unresolved issues shows a disconnect between legislative advocacy and the Executive’s response to matters of urgent public importance raised in the House”, an assembly source who wished to remain anonymous told this reporter at the weekend.