A section of the Bali-Suntai Road in Taraba State has collapsed following erosion, cutting off vehicular movement and leaving hundreds of travellers stranded.
The damage occurred last week around the Zagah axis of Bali Local Government Area. At least 300 vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks carrying goods, were reportedly trapped on both sides of the collapsed section.
The incident has disrupted the movement of people and goods, with residents, traders and transport operators warning of growing economic losses along the corridor.
Residents said the affected section had been gradually eroding before eventually becoming impassable. The councillor representing Suntai Ward, Daniel Ayuba, said the collapse had paralysed transportation and business activities, urging the Federal and Taraba State governments to intervene urgently.
A resident, Harry Aliyu, said authorities had been warned about the deteriorating condition of the road but failed to act.
“We have long been shouting on social media and through other media platforms when this road started wearing off, calling on government to come and prevent it from total collapse, but they turned deaf ears to our pleas,” Aliyu said.
The disruption has also raised concerns over school access as schools prepare to resume. Bridget Gimba, another resident, said pupils and students who rely on the route could face difficulties, particularly during rainfall.
“This ugly development will definitely affect school resumption because my pupils and students will now find it difficult to access their school premises, especially when it rains,” Gimba said, calling for urgent repairs.
The collapse has renewed concerns over Taraba’s deteriorating road infrastructure, coming about two years after the Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area collapsed and remained without comprehensive reconstruction.
Residents are calling for immediate repairs to the Bali-Suntai Road and more proactive maintenance of roads and bridges vulnerable to erosion and flooding to prevent communities from being cut off and further economic disruption.
