A community advocate, Abdulmimin Iman, has alleged that commuters are being extorted at the collapsed Namnai Bridge along a federal road in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, calling on government authorities to urgently intervene.
Iman, who visited the site over the weekend, alleged that a temporary crossing created around the collapsed bridge has been turned into a private toll point, with motorists and motorcyclists compelled to pay before being allowed to pass.
He alleged that the toll collection is being carried out by Hon. Hamza Garba Jamis, claiming that varying amounts are charged depending on the category of vehicle.
According to him, loaded trucks are allegedly made to pay between ₦20,000 and ₦25,000, while empty trucks pay between ₦10,000 and ₦15,000. Cars are said to pay between ₦2,000 and ₦4,000, while motorcyclists are charged between ₦200 and ₦400.
Iman further alleged that workers at the site estimated daily proceeds from the collection at between ₦3 million and ₦5 million.
He said he travelled to Jalingo on Saturday and proceeded directly to the collapsed bridge with a team of engineers, where he met Hon. Jamis and the Chairman of Gassol Local Government Area, Hon. Adamu Idris Waini.
According to Iman, he informed them that a political appointee of the President had offered to construct a temporary bridge free of charge to ease the hardship faced by commuters.
He said the benefactor, who asked not to be named, was willing to undertake the project without any political motive and without collecting tolls from road users.
Iman added that his team offered to reimburse Hon. Jamis for any personal expenses allegedly incurred in constructing the current temporary crossing, despite describing the toll collection as illegal.
He said engineers at the site and other stakeholders agreed that further discussions would be held with the Gassol LGA chairman to enable the handover of the temporary route for the proposed free intervention.
However, he alleged that communication later broke down, claiming that both Hon. Jamis and the council chairman stopped responding to his calls.
Iman also alleged that he received calls from more than 20 individuals urging him to allow the alleged toll collection to continue on the grounds that many people were benefiting from it.
Describing the situation as deeply troubling, Iman said private interests were allegedly frustrating efforts to provide immediate relief to thousands of commuters exposed to serious risks.
He warned that legal action might be taken if the alleged obstruction to the proposed intervention persists.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Hon. Hamza Garba Jamis nor the Chairman of Gassol Local Government Area has responded to the allegations.
The collapse of the Namnai Bridge has continued to disrupt movement in the area, affecting farmers, traders and transporters, with residents urging federal and state authorities to expedite permanent repairs and restore safe passage.
