The Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Robert Akande Olumole, has attributed the collapse of the Ojirami-Afe Bridge to the alleged activities of illegal gold miners operating in the area.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the chairman, Agomini Joshua Kehinde, Olumole raised the concern when the Ojirami-Afe Youth Leader, Mr. Ikoh Kehinde, and Engr. Michael Ajulo visited him at the Local Government Secretariat.
The Council Chairman said he had earlier inspected the affected bridge alongside a team of engineers from the Local Government following complaints from residents and other stakeholders over the condition of the infrastructure.
According to him, the bridge, facilitated by Peter Ohio Akpatason, was allegedly affected by extensive excavation activities carried out by illegal gold miners in the area.
Olumole alleged that the miners uprooted cocoa and other economic trees while digging extensively in search of gold, thereby altering the natural flow of water and contributing to the circumstances that led to the collapse of the bridge.
He expressed concern over the development and stressed the need to protect critical infrastructure and economic resources within the Local Government Area.
The Council Chairman, however, disclosed that the matter had been referred to the Legislative Arm of the Local Government for investigation.
He said the Executive Arm would await the outcome of the legislative investigation and its findings before deciding on further appropriate action.
Earlier, Kehinde and Ajulo said they visited the Council Chairman at the instance of the Village Head, Mr. Paul Dania.
They congratulated Olumole on his inauguration as Council Chairman and appealed to the Local Government to provide construction equipment to enable the community carry out immediate palliative work on the damaged bridge.
The delegation expressed concern over the difficulties residents were facing as a result of the bridge collapse, stressing the need for urgent intervention to restore movement and ease transportation within the community.
The statement was signed by Agomini Joshua Kehinde, Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, on October 2, 2026.