More than a year after the collapse of Igwu Bridge, Ndi Ebe Abam indigenes in Abia state say they have been going through untold hardship to survive on a daily basis. This is due to their inability to convey their farm produce such as yam, rice, garri, palm oil, plantain, banana, maize, pineapples, vegetables to markets in neighbouring towns like Ozu Abam, Bende and Umuahia.
To make the matter worse, most traders from Abia and Imo States that used to go to Ndi Ebe Abam Eke market have stopped going there due to the fact that no vehicle enters there.
According to Miss Ada Dike, a journalist and an indigene of the town,
“some of Ndi Ebe Abam’s indigenes who normally park their vehicles beside the Igwu River are having it rough as unknown persons always vandalise their vehicles before dawn.”
Ndi Ebe Abam people appealed to the able and hard working governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, to help them build a modern bridge that will last longer than the former one which was made with irons and planks and maintained by the indigenes for many years. They also implored the government to help them construct the road which has been neglected for years.
Igwu bridge in Ndi Ebe Abam collapsed on Tuesday afternoon, July 1, 2014, when 25 tons tipper carrying gravel plied on it. It is the only motor-able road and link through which Ndi Ebe Abam indigenes (mostly farmers and teachers) used to connect with other towns.