Abuja – December 05, 2023 – Viewpoint Housing News.
Residents and drivers in Igbosoro, Sagamu Area, Ogun State, have lamented the terrible state of the community link bridge and the havoc it has caused. They disclosed that using the “Oke Oniburukutu bridge” during rainfall has resulted in the deaths of drivers and bystanders who were dragged into the canal by floods.
It was discovered that in order to avoid drowning, locals and drivers alike exercise caution whenever they use the bridge during a rainfall. Some are fortunate enough to be saved, while others are not. The loss of lives and property has left the victims’ relatives devastated and in excruciating sorrow for a long time.
Upon assessment, it was found that the road was in poor condition and that the tiny bridge’s condition was concerning.
The small bridge was poorly built since the materials used were of poor quality. There are no rails on the sides, and the decking is quite low, causing the water in the canal to be equivalent to that of the bridge whenever it rains.
A resident , who only identified himself as Mautin, stated that residents are dissatisfied with the condition of the bridge.
“The residents are discontented and we will be grateful if the government intervenes and works on that specific bridge.” When it rains, it is always terrible. My family and I were getting ready to go to church last Sunday when the rain began, forcing us to undress and sleep owing to our anxiety of crossing the bridge to church. We cannot afford to put our lives at danger.””The canal on both sides is expanding day by day, and if no precautions are taken, it will collapse the bridge,” he explained.
Anyalawachi, another resident, expressed her tiredness with the state of affairs, citing the outcry of people in the media. She disclosed that “the community has been responsible for providing materials for its repair for years, as the road that leads to the bridge has been dilapidated.”
She said that despite repeated assurances, the government has not taken any action to fix the problematic route.
Monsuru Atobatele, the chairman of the LCDA, described his attempts to give a remedy for the bridge catastrophe. He said that the little bridge connects to more than 13 towns and voiced several grievances over the bridge’s poor state.
“Despite my repeated concerns, nothing practical has changed—not even after state ministry of works representatives visited the bridge to conduct an inspection. When rain occurs, floods from several regions stream through this canal, turning it into a trap.
“Many inhabitants have perished in the canal, and the bridge is so hazardous that floods on the decking carry drivers and their cars. “To control the flood, a well-designed bridge and an appropriate drainage system are required,” he stated.
