The collapse of the Mooro bridge along the Ilorin/Igbeti Road has caused significant hardship for motorists and pedestrians, raising fears of food shortages in Kwara State and neighboring regions. The bridge, which connects Ilorin to the Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas—considered the food basket of the state—gave way on Wednesday night, halting vehicular movement and leaving travelers stranded.
Impact on Travelers and Food Supply
Pedestrians have also faced difficulties as desperate motorists scramble for alternative routes. According to residents and travelers, the bridge reportedly caved in under the weight of a heavy-duty truck. This ancient hydraulic structure is a critical link between central Kwara and the northern axis, from where a large portion of food supplies reaches the state capital and beyond, including Ogbomoso and the entire southwestern region.
Abdul Seidu, a farmer dealing in perishable items, expressed frustration: "Here we are again, like always each time this same bridge collapses, movement is always at a standstill." He appealed to both state and federal governments to find a lasting solution to the recurring problem.
Government Response
In response, the Kwara State Government has announced the deployment of engineers from the Ministry of Works to begin palliative work on an alternative route to ease traffic congestion. In a statement issued in Ilorin on Thursday, the Press Secretary of the ministry, Olajide Moyo Abolarin, said the state government is collaborating with federal authorities to manage traffic diversion on the old Moro bridge.
The statement expressed confidence that the federal government is working on the new Moro bridge, which is already under construction a few meters away. It added: "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 of road users and others while the emergency is resolved."
