Stop politicizing Okpoku bridge,youths tell gov Otu

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Cross River State Chapter of the Niger Delta Progressive Youth Leadership Foundation (ND-PYLF), has called on Cross River State, Governor Bassey Otu, to stop using Okpoku Bridge in Akreha, which links to the Yache community as a tool for political advantage.

The youths said that the people of Yache deserve concrete action rather than political promises.

In a statement by the Secretary of the group, Engr. Sunday Odey Ogbudu, lamented the prolonged neglect of the bridge, which he said has left the Yache community cut off from economic opportunities, basic services, and political participation.

Ogbudu said: “The Okpoku Bridge is a critical infrastructure for our people. It should not be used as a political company or bargaining tool but rather treated as a priority project for the overall good of the community.”

He lamented that the Yache community has suffered for years due to the poor state of the bridge, which has hindered trade, mobility, and access to essential services.

He urged the governor to take immediate steps toward the rehabilitation and full utilization of the bridge, warning that continued neglect would further isolate the area and stunt development.

He added, “The Okpoku Bridge is more than just a passage; it is a lifeline for our people. It connects Yache to surrounding communities and remains key to trade, commerce, and political mobilization.

“We therefore call on His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu, to consider full utilization of this bridge as a priority project. The continued neglect of the bridge could isolate communities in the region, hamper agricultural trade, and weaken political participation.”

The group further appealed to political leaders from Cross River North to rally behind the project, insisting that the welfare and development of the people should come before political interests.