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 swift intervention from the state government.
The bridge reportedly gave way around 5 a.m. on Thursday after a heavy-duty truck passed over it, cutting off a key transport corridor and leaving commuters stranded.
Motorists and road users described the incident as a major setback, noting that it has disrupted commercial activities, delayed the movement of goods and services, and increased transportation costs.
Reacting in a statement issued through the ministry’s Press Secretary, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, announced immediate traffic diversion measures to ease the situation.
“The Kwara State Government is working with federal authorities to immediately divert traffic following the collapse of the Moro Bridge overnight,” he said.
Olododo confirmed that the incident occurred in the early hours of the day when the bridge caved in under the weight of a heavy-duty truck, leading to significant disruption along the route.
He added that engineers had been deployed to commence palliative work on alternative routes to reduce congestion and ease movement for road users.
“Engineers have been mobilised to begin palliative work on diversion routes to reduce the hardship being experienced by road users,” he stated.
The commissioner further disclosed that the state government had received assurances from federal authorities that work is ongoing on a new Moro Bridge located a few metres from the collapsed structure.
He noted that traffic managers had also been directed to collaborate with transport unions to ensure orderly movement, while appealing to commuters to remain patient.
The Moro Bridge, situated along the Ilorin–Igbeti Federal Highway between Oko-Olowo/Mandala in Ilorin West and Asa Local Government Area, serves as a critical link between Kwara and Oyo states.
The colonial-era Bailey bridge has long functioned as a vital but fragile crossing point connecting Kwara’s northern district to Oyo State and routes leading toward the Benin Republic border, undergoing repeated rehabilitation over the years due to persistent structural challenges.
Elijah Adeyemi
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