The Gimbiyar Lau, Hajiya Mamma Fati Ibrahim Hassan Lau, has called on the federal government to declare the reconstruction of the collapsed Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State a matter of national emergency, following a tragic boat accident that claimed the lives of her family members.

 

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the traditional figure and grieving relative revealed that eight of her family members were involved in the Saturday boat mishap at the site of the long-abandoned bridge, with five rescued, one confirmed dead, and two still missing as rescue operations continue into a third day.

 

Describing the incident as a “preventable tragedy,” Gimbiyar Lau blamed years of official neglect for forcing residents to depend on unsafe water transportation—particularly dangerous during the rainy season when rivers overflow.

 

She urged Governor Agbu Kefas to mount pressure on the federal authorities to urgently commence the reconstruction of the Namnai Bridge, stressing that the infrastructure is not only vital to Taraba State but also to national economic activity.

 

“The Jalingo–Wukari corridor, where the bridge is situated, is a critical economic route connecting northern and southern Nigeria. It supports the movement of agricultural produce, livestock, and other goods that fuel commerce and regional integration,” she emphasized.

 

While extending her heartfelt condolences to the affected families, including the Alkali Hassan Lau and Badikko families, she urged both state and federal governments to act swiftly to avert further tragedies.

 

“This is the time to insert the right peg in the right hole,” she said, calling for long-overdue infrastructure investment and preventive measures to safeguard the lives of rural dwellers and travelers in the region.