A civic technology platform, MonITNG, has issued an urgent appeal to the Federal Government and Taraba State authorities over the precarious state of the so-called Namnai Bridge, which currently serves as a vital yet perilous crossing for thousands of commuters in the state.
According to MonITNG, which empowers citizens to monitor public projects and access government data across Nigeria, the crossing in question is “no bridge at all,” but a makeshift ferry system using wooden canoes in place of a solid structure. The crossing connects northern, central, and southern parts of Taraba State and also serves commuters heading into neighbouring Benue State via a critical federal road.
In a statement posted on its monitoring platform, MonITNG said, “Each day, citizens risk their lives navigating this crossing. What should be a secure bridge is instead a stretch of river where people must queue for hours to be ferried across in unstable boats.”
A photo shared by a concerned resident shows dozens of people crammed into wooden canoes, highlighting the daily struggle faced by community members, especially during the rainy season when river currents grow dangerously strong.
The platform stressed that the implications of this infrastructural failure go far beyond inconvenience. “Schoolchildren are frequently unable to attend classes, farmers and traders lose income due to delays and damage to goods, and pregnant women are transported in critical conditions across these boats,” the group noted. “The elderly and persons with disabilities face even greater risk.”
Despite repeated appeals by residents, the situation has persisted for years with little government attention. MonITNG stated that building a proper bridge would not only enhance safety but also transform economic and social life in the region.
“The absence of a bridge is not just a gap in infrastructure—it is a public safety emergency,” the statement continued. “A permanent structure would provide access to healthcare, education, and markets, and foster regional integration.”
The group issued a direct appeal to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi (@realdaveumahi), the Federal Ministry of Works (@FMWNIG), and Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas (@GovAgbuKefas), as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT), calling for immediate intervention.
“No citizen should be forced to choose between safety and mobility,” MonITNG emphasized. “Constructing a proper bridge at Namnai is not a favour—it is a matter of equity, dignity, and justice.”
