Benue, Cross River Border Communities Renovate Bridge To Ease Passage

By Jonathan Ugbal

The Adikpo community in Vandeikya local government area of Benue state and its neighboring Obudu local government area of northern Cross River state last week came together to renovate the bridge over River Akasom which connects both.

Leaders of both communities engaged youths who are currently felling specific trees and cutting them to size to fit into the bridge.

Pictures obtained by CrossRiverWatch shows that work began on Thursday last week and continued till the weekend due to the inability of residents of both communities to get to navigate either way for farming, educational and commercial purposes.

CrossRiverWatch gathered that the bridge which was washed away by flood since 2004 has been a subject of politicking for political leaders which led to several failed efforts by the communities to renovate the bridge.

Ikashi Dekas, an aide to Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade in a post on Facebook called on the member representing Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra federal constituency, Legor Idagbo to take note of their effort and come to their rescue.

The first attempt came in 2006 when leaders of both communities fell woods in farmlands nearby and erected pillars to support the bridge.

But, consistent rains have continued to destroy the bridge with the wood used often washed away while some people, vehicles and motorcycles resort to wade through shallow parts of the river.

The river has its origin at the Obudu plateau which share boundaries with the Cameroons and joins with the River Aya which empties into the River Benue.