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Flood Disaster Cuts Off Keana Bridge, Omeri Calls for Urgent Intervention
By Abel Zwanke, Lafia
Former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri, has expressed deep concern over the devastating flood that destroyed the bridge linking Keana with Lafia and other adjoining communities in Nasarawa State.
The incident, which occurred on August 29, 2025, has cut off the foremost historical Keana Salt Village, leaving residents stranded and disrupting trade, education, and access to healthcare services.
Omeri, an indigene of Keana Local Government Area in a statement on Tuesday described the situation as a humanitarian emergency requiring immediate government intervention.
“This unfortunate development has left several people stranded, disrupting movement, trade, education, and access to basic healthcare.
“The bridge, which serves as a critical lifeline for Keana residents, has become impassable, posing serious risks of worsening hardship if immediate action is not taken,” Omeri said.
He further lamented that the collapse of the bridge has not only affected transportation but also undermined the economic and tourism potential of the Keana Salt Village, a major source of livelihood for women in the community.
“It has affected a major source of livelihood and tourism, being the Keana Salt Village, which is a vital means of earning a living for mostly women in the community,” he added.
The former NOA boss called on the Nasarawa State Government to prioritise emergency repairs and provide temporary alternative routes.
He also urged the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to urgently mobilise resources for a durable reconstruction of the bridge.
Omeri equally appealed to community leaders and civil society organisations to complement government efforts with grassroots relief and awareness campaigns, stressing the importance of adhering to early warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
“The collapse of this vital infrastructure is not just a physical setback; it is a humanitarian emergency that requires swift intervention,” he stated.
He added: “What has happened in Keana must not be treated as an isolated event. It is a reminder that we must work together, government, stakeholders, and citizens, to build stronger systems that safeguard lives, livelihoods, and the economy from recurring disasters.”