The State House of Assembly has requested the Ministry of Works and Fire Service to guarantee the reconstruction of the bridge and restore the road link between Mbiaso and Mbiokporo II in Nsit Ibom local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

This was stated in a motion that was presented in the plenary on Friday by Eric Akpan, who represents the Nsit Ibom State Constituency and seconded by Otobong Bob, a member of the Nsit Ubium State Constituency.Eric Akpan, who represents the Nsit Ibom State Constituency.

The poor state of the road and the collapsed bridge had made the route inaccessible, according to Akpan, leaving many drivers and passengers stranded.

He said, “Hundreds of passengers and vehicles have been stranded following the collapse of the bridge linking Mbiaso and Mbiokporo II Communities in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. Motorists and their passengers are now left in a dilemma as crossing from Mbiaso to Mbiokporo II or vice versa has become closely impossible.”

He bemoaned the fact that a bridge with a structural flaw may suddenly shut down traffic, obstruct company operations, and result in injuries, fatalities, and property damage.

He prayed the state government, through the Ministry of Works and Fire Service to “prioritize and expedite the intervention necessary to timeously reconstruct the collapsed bridge and restore the road connecting both communities to alleviate the economic hardship faced by these communities.”

Additionally, he prayed for the State Ministry of Works and Fire Service to thoroughly examine the local erosion patterns and put into place long-term solutions to reduce erosion threats in the future.

Elder Udeme Otong, the Speaker, had instead forwarded the proposal to the joint House Committees on Works and Environment, instructing them to get in touch with Prof. Eno Ibanga, the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, for quick action.