Vehicular and pedestrian movement between parts of Kwara and Oyo States was disrupted on Thursday, April 30, following the collapse of the popular Moro bridge.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the bridge, regarded as a critical infrastructure linking both states, caved in overnight, halting economic activities along the corridor.
Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Government, through the Ministry of Works, said the bridge collapsed under the weight of a heavy-duty truck.
In a statement signed by the Press Secretary of the ministry, Olajide Moyo Abolarin, the government disclosed that the structure “collapsed overnight under the weight of a heavy-duty truck.”
Traffic Diversion Announced
The government said it has immediately directed a diversion of traffic to alternative routes to ease movement.
It added that traffic managers have been deployed to the area to control vehicular flow and minimise disruption.
According to the statement, the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, has commenced work on alternative routes to ease traffic along the affected corridor.
It further directed 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.”
The government appealed to motorists and residents to remain calm as efforts are being made to address the situation.
“We call for patience and understanding of road users and others while the emergency is resolved,” the statement added.
The government also reassured residents that work is ongoing on a new Moro bridge located a few metres from the collapsed structure.
It noted that federal authorities are pushing ahead with the construction of the new bridge to provide a lasting solution to the problem.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the Moro Bridge connects parts of Oyo North, including Igbeti, Igboho, Kisi, Saki, and communities from the Oke-Ogun axis.