By IDONGESIT ASHAMERI

The people of Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have raised concerns over the collapse of a bridge which has isolated 16 communities from the rest of the communities.

The people channelled their pleas through the lawmaker representing Ikono State Constituency in House of Assembly, Mr. Asuquo Udo who raised the matter on the floor of the house, under matter of urgent public importance.

The lawmaker who identified the collapsed bridges as Nkwot Ikot Nseyen – Nung Ukim bridge and Iton Ikot Ito – Iton Mmong bridge expressed worry over the economic and social damage caused by the collapse of the bridges to the affected communities,

In a two-prayer motion presented during the plenary session, Udo prayed the House to “Urge Akwa Ibom State Government to direct relevant agencies to intervene by taking steps to inspect the broken down bridges.

He also urged government to ensure that remedial measures are immediately taken to enable pedestrians access between communities and “to avert any loss of life”.

The lawmaker said the people of Ikono are predominantly traders and farmers who rely on access roads linked by bridges to transport their goods and services to neighboring villages and markets in order to earn a living.

He listed the affected 16 villages to include Nkwot Ikot Akpa Isiak, Ikot Ette, Ikot Umoessien, Nkwot Nko, Ikot Enie, Ikot Okpo, Ikot Nseyen, Nung Imo, Ikot Idomo, Ikot Obio Ata, Ikot Udo, Obio Ediene, Etip Ediene, Iton Ikot Ito, Iton Mmong and Nnung Ukim.

Udo sympathised with residents of the two communities of Itong Mmong and Iton Ikot Ito who now traverse Ini Local Government Area to access other communities in the locality due to the collapsed bridges in Ikono State Constituency.

He expressed worry that if urgent steps are not taken by relevant authorities, it may result in countless accidents leading to loss of lives and our students may be unable to attend schools in nearby villages on resumption.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey committed the motion to House Committee on Works and Transport for assessment of the affected bridges and present possible recommendations to the house. (Daily Independent)