The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has conducted on-the-spot assessment of a major bridge connecting Yola to Gombe Road, which recently collapsed, causing significant disruption to transportation across the region.
The incident, which occurred in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State, has left commuters and goods stranded, severely affecting trade and travel between the two states.
The collapse is believed to have resulted from structural weaknesses exacerbated by heavy seasonal rains.
A rapid assessment was immediately initiated by Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar to evaluate the extent of the damage and recommend necessary mitigation steps.
The assessment team was led by Mr. Musa Yakubu from NEMA Yola operations office in collaboration with the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) of Lamurde LGA.
Initial reports from the assessment indicate that the collapse has severely affected critical infrastructure, creating a major transportation bottleneck and causing significant delays for emergency services.
Local residents were advised to avoid the area until further notice, as the site posed serious safety risks.
Speaking on behalf of NEMA, Mr. Musa Yakubu emphasized the urgent need for government support to ensure the proper maintenance of such vital infrastructure.
He also appealed to local residents to remain patient during the reconstruction process, which may take time but will ultimately provide a safer and more durable connection.
