A year after the Namnai Bridge on the Jalingo-Wukari highway in Taraba State collapsed, a university professor, John Ajai, has slammed the Federal Government for failing to take action to restore the vital infrastructure.

The bridge, which sits on a major federal road that connects Benue, Taraba, and Adamawa States, remains abandoned—forcing commuters, traders, and students to depend on unsafe makeshift ferries to cross the river.

In a statement shared with journalists on Wednesday in Jalingo, Prof. Ajai described his recent experience as both frightening and frustrating.

“The boat’s propeller got stuck in sand. We couldn’t dock. Passengers were evacuated in a tense, unsafe situation. Buses remained stuck for over 30 minutes. Only divine mercy prevented a tragedy,” he recalled.

The professor criticized the Federal Government’s silence, describing the situation as a threat to lives and a blow to regional commerce and education. He pointed out that neither the Ministry of Works nor FERMA had shown any sign of beginning repair or reconstruction.

“No contractors, no plans, no updates—nothing,” he said.

Ajai also called on federal lawmakers from Taraba State to speak up and demand urgent intervention. He noted that while they may not directly fix federal roads, their silence reflects a lack of concern.

He questioned if such neglect would happen in places like Lagos or Abuja, urging the government to show equal urgency in addressing infrastructure issues across the country.

The continued abandonment of the bridge has disrupted lives and businesses, turning a once-busy highway into a daily risk zone for thousands.