Kwara transport unions beg Tinubu, AbdulRazaq to fix collapsed bridges

Transport unions in Kwara State have issued an urgent appeal to President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, calling for immediate intervention to reconstruct collapsed bridges that are severely impacting economic and transport activities in Kwara North.

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The economic and social life of the people of Kwara State, especially those in Kwara North, has been in jeopardy since the Oko-Olowo/Moro Bridge project was abandoned.

The National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria stated that the abandoned Moro and Ohan bridge projects pose a significant threat to livelihoods and socio-economic life in the northern axis of the state. The Moro bridge, initiated in 2017, is a critical link connecting Kaiama and Baruten local government areas to other parts of Kwara and Oyo states. The collapse of the Ohan River bridge has further isolated the entire Kwara North region.

Union leaders, including Alhaji Abdulrahman Onikijipa of RTEAN and Alhaji Abdulrasak Ariwo-Ola of NURTW, described the situation as dire. They explained that transporters face heavy losses during the rainy season as alternative routes become impassable, affecting their ability to earn a living and fulfill civic duties like tax payment. Vehicles often get trapped, leaving commuters stranded and vulnerable to security risks.

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Like the failed Oko-Olowo/Moro Bridge, the iron bridge on Ohan River has also collapsed, thereby cutting off the entire Kwara North from the rest of the state.

The unions also warned that the collapsed bridges hinder emergency response and judicial logistics. Moving suspects from the Mandala Correctional Centre to Ilorin courts becomes difficult during floods, and ambulances face challenges transporting patients for urgent medical attention. Furthermore, they cautioned that the poor access could compromise the integrity of future elections in Kwara North if election materials cannot be delivered to polling units.

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We are always out of work during the rainy season because the alternative routes become impassable. This affects our livelihoods, our families and even our ability to fulfil civic obligations such as payment of taxes.

In light of these critical issues, the unions implored the President to direct the Minister of Works to expedite action on the reconstruction projects, emphasizing the vital role these bridges play in the region's connectivity and development.

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Movement of suspects from the Correctional Centre in Mandala to courts in Ilorin becomes difficult during periods of flooding. The same challenge affects ambulances conveying patients to Ilorin for urgent medical attention.