Ojirim Residents In Ogoja Lament Poor state of Ribikem River Bridge, Appeal For Intervention

 

Ojirim Residents In Ogoja Lament Poor state of Ribikem River Bridge, Appeal For Intervention 

 As the volume of water in River Ribikem continue to rise occasioned by massive torrential downpour, the people of Ojirim Community and environs, handicapped by the inability to accessing their major farm lands  during this season due to a major River seperating them from the area, have like every other year intensified efforts to link the indigenes with their source of livelihood by constructing a hanging bridge across the River.

Recall that over 50 years ago, several residents across the river (such as residents in Onitsha _Onocha_, Eréh Eban, Eréh Ebim, Oti Ukor, Ereh Òdór, among others), were forced to migrate back to their present day settlements in Ojirim, NKIM and other neighboring Communities due to several lives lost in this River through drowning during rainy season like this, each time they crossed over to attend functions or are returning to their homes.

At the time of my visit for the third time this year about two weeks ago, the local hanging bridge was near completion.

One could literally see the smiles on the faces of residents mostly women, who daily migrate across to work in their farms and return at sunset.

The men mostly in their middle ages will usually not disappoint as they were seen working very hard to ensure they meet timelines. 

In a chat with the Ojirim Community Vice Chairman Mr. Oshi James (aka Labis), who was also at the bridge cite narrates their ordeal. He said they usually trek long distances averaging 4 hours each time they have to go to their farms, adding that it is even worst especially during this season as they cannot Cross the river with their motorcycles but will be forced to park them by the river bank and cross through the hanging bridge. This has always led to low productivity on the part of Farmers since they often use most of their productive time for trekking and observe off days due to the stress therein. 

He also said the community will keep appealing to Government, Non-governmental Organizations and concerned individuals to come to their aid through the construction of a permanent bridge across River Ribikem saying his people have suffered a great deal.

*Oti Joe Ashia*

_Ojirim- Mbube, Ogoja_

Cross River State, Nigeria