Movement of persons and vehicles has become a nightmare in Ebangabi, a local community in Manyu Division of the South-West region of Cameroon.
This follows downpours that swept the Ebangabi-Betisku bridge, which serves as a link with other communities in the area.
Heavy rains produced an overflow of water in the area two days ago, and locals say the bridge that had been temporarily reconstructed with sticks was washed away. This was reported on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.
A local told MMI, “Here is the bridge that the heavy rains carried away two days ago in Ebanghabi.”
According to him, the bridge had already collapsed before this time, but government officials had not paid attention.
The community helped to rehabilitate the bridge with sticks and wood.
Looming danger
The condition of the bridge has not improved, and people lament that it is now a death trap.
“My people are in serious trouble. My brother’s motorcycle once fell from the old bridge that has been carried away, and the same thing has been happening to many others,” he went on.
The motorcycle, he said, “fell in the water when he was about to cross the bridge.”
Due to the brittleness of the bridge, motorbike users must dismount and push the bike through empty before mounting it in order to cross without plunging into the water.
With the bridge has been completely swept away, all forms of transport have ceased, and the local economy has taken a hit.
The local population is calling on the powers that be to come to their rescue.
