Residents Stranded As Flood Washes Away Bridge

The PUNCH reports that the many residents of the Denro Community in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State have been plunged into chaos.

They are currently having a tough time accessing their homes and connecting neighbouring communities.

The situation was caused by a recent flood which destroyed the bridge connecting them to other communities.

It was learnt that the bridge which had been showing signs of distress for a long time finally collapsed during a downpour witnessed in the area on Monday.

The PUNCH correspondent who visited the area on Thursday reported that residents who have no alternative routes to access their homes have put a long iron rod across the river to replace the destroyed bridge.

While some residents were seen struggling to cross to the other side using the makeshift bridge, some others who were too scared to take the risk were seen looking on.

Just at the scene is an uncompleted bridge that appeared to have been abandoned.

A resident, who identified herself simply as Shade, told PUNCH Metro that some parents no longer allow their children to take the route unaccompanied for fear of falling into the river.

She said, “Parents in this area have already stopped their children from passing the part of the bridge even before its current state. Many of us are not surprised the bridge was washed off on Monday. Having access to the main road has now become a tall order as motorcycle riders have now increased their fare.

“Just last week, commercial vehicles were still plying this route. But now, the bridge has become impassable for vehicles and motorcycles. Others, as you can see, who still choose to pass the road will have to do so one after the other.”

Another resident, Tunde Orunsolu, who spoke with PUNCH Metro on Thursday expressed fear over the state of the road while calling on the government to come to their aid.

“It is a risk for both adults and children in the area to pass the road because of the river. Many residents have been advised to stop plying the route at the night because of the danger of falling into the river,” Orunsolu said.

Meanwhile, a source in the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure who did not want his name mentioned because he was not authorised to do so told PUNCH Metro that the abandoned bridge would soon be completed.

 “Construction work that the state government started in the area will soon be completed,” he said.

The state Commissioner for Works, Ade Akinsanya, when contacted, asked our correspondent to send a text message indicating his inquiry.

He was yet to reply to the message sent to his mobile as of the time of filing this report on Thursday.