As the rainy season in 2025 continues, people in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State are struggling. Travelers, drivers, and locals are finding it harder each day to cope with the effects of the broken Namnai Bridge.
This bridge used to be an important link between Taraba and Benue States. It was washed away by floods in 2024 and hasn’t been repaired since then. For almost a year now, people have been left without a proper road.
Before the collapse, the Namnai Bridge was a key route for farmers, drivers, and traders. It helped connect Taraba to the southern parts of Nigeria. But now, the lack of this bridge has turned daily activities into a difficult task.
People are forced to use other routes, but those roads are in bad shape. They are full of potholes, often flood during heavy rain, and are not safe to travel on.
Many commuters spend several hours—sometimes even a whole day—trying to pass through these dangerous paths. Cars and trucks break down often or get stuck in the mud.
Commercial drivers are among those suffering the most. Musa Ibrahim, who drives the Jalingo to Makurdi route, shared that their work has become very stressful and expensive.
He said they sometimes drive all day through bush paths and still risk damaging their vehicles or getting stuck.
Drivers also say they are losing money. Their vehicles need more repairs, fuel is more expensive, and fewer passengers are using the route. Some drivers have even stopped working there.
The local economy is feeling the impact too. Farmers in Namnai and nearby areas can’t move their crops to big markets like Wukari and Makurdi. Some crops go bad in the fields, while middlemen pay very little for what’s left.
Because of this, fewer goods reach the markets. Business has slowed down, small shops are closing, and many young people are now unemployed. Frustration is growing in the area.
Although traditional rulers, civil society groups, and other local voices have asked the government to help, nothing has been done so far. People feel forgotten and ignored.
A local trader, Aisha Saleh, asked why nothing has been done after almost a year. She wonders if the people of Namnai are even considered part of Taraba State anymore.
As the rain keeps making things worse, the people are once again asking the government to take urgent action. Fixing the bridge, they say, is not just about building a road—it’s about saving lives, restoring jobs, and reconnecting communities.
Until the government acts, those who travel this route say they will keep suffering—and keep calling out to be seen and heard.
