Bali-Suntai Road Collapses in Taraba, Over 300 Vehicles Stranded as Residents Demand Urgent Repairs

A major section of the Bali-Suntai Road in Taraba State has collapsed following erosion and heavy rainfall, disrupting transportation and reportedly leaving more than 300 vehicles stranded along the route.

The affected portion is located around the Zagah axis in Bali Local Government Area, where the road was washed away last week, cutting off vehicular movement and creating significant difficulties for travellers, traders and transport operators.

Heavy-duty trucks carrying goods were among the vehicles reportedly trapped on both sides of the damaged section, worsening concerns over the movement of essential commodities and the economic impact on communities that rely on the road.

The development has also renewed concerns about the condition of critical infrastructure across Taraba, coming about two years after the collapse of the Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area, which residents say is yet to receive comprehensive reconstruction.

Daniel Ayuba, councillor representing Suntai Ward, said the Bali-Suntai Road collapse had severely disrupted transportation and commercial activities in the area. He appealed to both the Federal Government and Taraba State Government to urgently intervene and restore the damaged section.

Ayuba said repairing the road would help reopen the transport corridor, reduce mounting economic losses and ease the difficulties faced by residents and motorists who depend on it for their daily activities.

A resident, Harry Aliyu, accused the authorities of failing to act despite repeated warnings from residents after they noticed the road beginning to deteriorate.

“We have long been shouting on social media and through other media platforms when this road started wearing off, calling on government to come and prevent it from total collapse, but they turned deaf ears to our pleas,” Aliyu said.

He added that the collapse had made road travel from the area to Jalingo and other neighbouring communities and local government areas extremely difficult.

The situation has also raised concerns ahead of school resumption. Bridget Gimba, another resident, warned that pupils and students who use the route could face serious difficulties, particularly during rainfall.

“This ugly development will definitely affect school resumption because my pupils and students will now find it difficult to access their school premises, especially when it rains,” Gimba said.

She appealed to the authorities to urgently repair the road, stressing that residents and motorists depend on the route for their livelihoods.

The Bali-Suntai Road crisis has further highlighted the vulnerability of Taraba’s road network to erosion and flooding. Residents are calling for immediate repairs as well as a more proactive approach to maintaining roads and bridges before damage becomes severe.

With hundreds of vehicles reportedly stranded and the movement of people and goods disrupted, residents fear that prolonged inaction could deepen the economic hardship and leave communities along the corridor increasingly isolated.

They are therefore urging the relevant authorities to treat the collapsed section as an emergency and restore access as quickly as possible.