Many stranded as bridge collapses on Kuje-Gwagwalada road

By Omeiza Ajayi, Abuja

Hundreds of travellers and residents were left stranded for hours on Tuesday following the collapse of a critical bridge at Chukuku village, effectively cutting off the busy Kuje–Gwagwalada link road.

The collapse occurred after a heavy downpour that lasted for several hours, causing the structural failure that severed the primary link between the two major area councils in the Federal Capital Territory.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike had awarded the construction of the road, which is billed for completion later in the year.

Vanguard gathered that the construction company had provided a temporary bridge while working on the main road.

However, motorists woke up to a collapsed bridge early on Tuesday, a development that shot up transportation costs, as commercial drivers had to use the longer Kuje-Giri-Gwagwalada route.

As of 2pm on Tuesday, some motorists told Vanguard that the construction company had provided another access road for them, praising the swift response.

Earlier, the incident had resulted in a total gridlock, leaving motorists and commuters unable to proceed with their journeys. Many travellers were seen offloading goods and attempting to navigate the terrain on foot, while others remained stuck in their vehicles, hoping for a temporary solution.

Local residents reported that the volume of water from the rain overwhelmed the bridge’s capacity, leading to the eventual washout of the road section.

While eyewitnesses confirmed that no casualties or injuries were recorded during the collapse, the economic impact was, however, felt.

The Kuje–Gwagwalada axis is a vital artery for the movement of agricultural produce and commercial goods.

“Movement is severely disrupted,” noted one resident. “This is a major blow to our daily business. Farmers cannot get to the market, and people heading to work in Gwagwalada or town were completely blocked and had to turn back to use the longer route. However, there is now a reprieve as the company has provided an alternative route,” said a driver who identified himself as Sani.