MORO BRIDGE COLLAPSES IN KWARA, DISRUPTS TRAFFIC AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Read Time:2 Minute, 52 Second

By: Muftau Fatimo

Vehicular movement has been severely disrupted along the Ilorin–Igbeti Federal Highway in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State following the collapse of the Moro Bridge, prompting prompt intervention from the state government.

It was gathered that the bridge reportedly gave way around 5 a.m. on Thursday after being overburdened by a heavy-duty truck, thereby cutting off a key transport route and leaving commuters stranded.

Motorists and other road users described the incident as a major setback, noting that it has hampered commercial activities, delayed the movement of goods and services, and driven up transportation costs.

A businesswoman, who gave her name simply as Kafayat, told Hotjist that the situation has adversely affected economic activities, leading to delays and higher transport expenses for both commuters and businesses.

Reacting in a statement issued through the ministry’s Press Secretary, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, announced immediate traffic diversion to cushion the effects of the incident.

He urged motorists to exercise caution while navigating alternative routes to minimise inconvenience and prevent further incidents.

“The Kwara State Government is working with federal authorities to immediately divert traffic following the collapse of the Moro Bridge overnight,” the commissioner stated.

“The collapse occurred in the early hours of today after a heavy-duty truck passed over the bridge, resulting in major disruption along the route,” he added.

He further disclosed that engineers had been deployed to the area to commence immediate palliative work on alternative routes to ease vehicular congestion.

“Engineers have been mobilised to begin palliative work on diversion routes to reduce the hardship being experienced by road users,” Olododo said.

He added that the state government had received assurances from federal authorities that construction is ongoing on a new Moro Bridge located a few metres away from the collapsed structure.

The commissioner also said traffic managers had been directed to collaborate with transport unions to ensure orderly movement, while appealing to commuters for patience.

The Moro Bridge, located along the Ilorin–Igbeti Federal Highway between Oko-Olowo/Mandala in Ilorin West and Asa Local Government Area, serves as a vital link connecting Kwara and Oyo states.

The colonial-era Bailey bridge has long been a critical but fragile crossing point linking Kwara’s northern district to Oyo State and onward routes towards the Benin Republic border. It has undergone repeated rehabilitation over the years due to recurring structural distress.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government says it is working with federal authorities to immediately divert traffic on the old Moro Bridge in Asa Local Government Area, which collapsed on Wednesday night under the weight of a heavy-duty truck.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Olajide Abolarin, Press Secretary of the state Ministry of Works, and made available to journalists, the government said, “The government is immediately deploying engineers from the Ministry of Works to begin palliative work on the alternative route, thereby easing vehicular traffic along the corridor.”

The statement added that the state government had received assurances from federal authorities that work would continue on the new Moro Bridge, currently under construction.

It further stated that “state traffic managers are to work with transport unions and commuters to maintain orderly passage on the alternative route while palliative work begins immediately on the old iron-made bridge.”

“We call for patience and understanding from road users and others while the emergency is resolved,” the statement added.