Hundreds of motorists and travellers were Friday, stranded, following the collapse of Umutu bridge along Agbor- Abraka-Eku road in Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State.
Vanguard correspondent gathered that the incident occurred in the early hours of the day, adding that the aged long bridge gave way as a trailer conveying heavy-duty construction bulldozer was passing through it towards the Agbor axis of the state.
Motorists and travellers lamented over the sad situation obviously confused on the next step to take as at the time of filling in this report.
The deplorable condition of the federal road has been on the news, with reports of the road project already awarded for reconstruction by the federal government.
The road links many communities in the state and connects the people with other parts of the country, particularly Northern and South-East states.
Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Ochor Christopher Ochor who hails from the area, regretted that the federal government had not given such an important road the desired attention.
Ochor who spoke to our correspondent described the collapse of the bridge as unfortunate and sympathized with stranded motorists and travellers for the pains it may have caused them.
He said he had already contacted the Commissioner for Work in charge of Urban and Highways roads in the State, Mr Neol Omodion, who has promised to take necessary steps to address the ugly situation.
Ochor however stressed the need to beef up security in the area to protect the lives and properties of the stranded travellers, calling on the federal government to reconstruct the road due to its strategic position in the socio-economic development of the area.
Vanguard News Nigeria
