Travelers stranded as another major infrastructure failure hits Taraba

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A fresh infrastructure crisis has emerged in Taraba State, barely two years after the collapse of the Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area, which authorities have yet to fully address.

The latest setback occurred along the Bali-Suntai Road, particularly around the Zagah axis in Bali Local Government Area, where a section of the road was washed away last week, bringing vehicular movement to a halt and leaving hundreds of travellers stranded.

As of the time of filing this report, at least 300 vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks transporting goods, were reportedly stuck on both sides of the damaged section.

The development has severely disrupted the movement of people and commodities, while imposing additional economic hardship on residents, transporters and traders who rely on the road for their daily activities.

Residents who spoke to ZINGTIE said the problem began with gradual erosion before eventually worsening into a complete blockage of the route.

They explained that the situation has made it increasingly difficult for communities along the corridor to connect with neighbouring towns and local government areas.

The councillor representing Suntai Ward, Daniel Ayuba, said the damaged road had brought transportation activities to a standstill and negatively affected businesses in the area.

Ayuba expressed concern over the difficulties faced by commuters and other road users, urging both the Federal Government and Taraba State Government to urgently intervene.

He said repairing the affected section without further delay would restore transportation, minimise additional economic losses and reduce the hardship currently confronting residents and motorists.

A resident, Harry Aliyu, blamed the worsening situation on what he described as the authorities’ failure to respond to repeated warnings from residents.

“We have long been shouting on social media and through other media platforms when this road started wearing off, calling on government to come and prevent it from total collapse, but they turned deaf ears to our pleas,” Aliyu said.

Aliyu noted that the situation had deteriorated to the extent that travelling by road from the area to Jalingo and other neighbouring communities and local government areas had become almost impossible.

“Now, travelling to Jalingo and other neighbouring communities or local government councils from this axis with vehicles has practically become impossible,” he added.

The road crisis has also raised concerns within the education sector, particularly as schools are expected to resume soon.

Bridget Gimba, another resident, said the condition of the road could create serious difficulties for pupils and students who use the route to reach their schools.

She warned that movement could become even more challenging during rainfall, when the affected section is likely to deteriorate further.

“This ugly development will definitely affect school resumption because my pupils and students will now find it difficult to access their school premises, especially when it rains.

“So, we are calling on those concerned to, as a matter of urgency, wade in and get this road fixed for the sake of ordinary citizens and motorists who make use of this road to earn their daily living,” Gimba pleaded.

The latest collapse along the Bali-Suntai Road has added to the growing infrastructure concerns facing communities across Taraba State, particularly the poor condition of roads and bridges that connect rural settlements with major commercial centres.

The situation also brings renewed attention to the Namnai Bridge in Gassol, which has remained a major concern for residents and motorists, with the bridge reportedly still awaiting comprehensive reconstruction two years after its collapse.

The new incident has consequently intensified calls for authorities to adopt proactive maintenance measures rather than relying primarily on emergency intervention after infrastructure has already failed.

Such measures, residents argue, are particularly necessary in locations prone to erosion and flooding.

For people living and doing business along the Bali-Suntai corridor, the immediate challenge extends beyond the inconvenience of the damaged road.

The isolation of communities is already creating wider economic consequences, particularly for residents whose livelihoods depend on regular movement along the route.

With hundreds of vehicles stranded, essential commodities delayed and residents struggling to travel between communities, the situation has evolved from a road infrastructure problem into a broader threat to livelihoods, education, transportation and local commerce.

Residents are therefore calling on the relevant authorities to treat the situation as an emergency and restore the damaged road before further deterioration completely cuts off communities along the corridor.

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