Amassoama,the host
community of the Bayelsa state-owned Niger Delta University, has been
cut off following the collapse of a bridge linking it with Yenagoa, the
state capital.The bridge located between Edepie roundabout and Tombia
in Southern-Ijaw local government area, was constructed by Shell
Petroleum Development Company in the 60s.
Though no life was
lost, an eyewitness explained that the steel bridge caved in under the
weight of a trailer conveying chippings on Thursday afternoon. The
state’s Deputy Governor, Werinipre Seibarugu, who visited the scene,
directed the company handling the expansion of the road to quickly put
in place a diversion road to create alternative route.
Mr Seibarugu,who
attributed the collapse to the old age of the structure, expressed
happiness that no casualty was recorded in the incident. He appealed to
residents of the area to be patient, saying the alternative road will
assuage the plight of motorists and commuters plying the route.
The spokesman of the university, Eebiegberi Amazige, explained, that
the incident occurred shortly after he crossed the bridge.Staff of the
construction company are already working on the alternative route as at
the time of the report.
