Special Report: In Kwara, persistent collapse of old highway bridges is claiming lives, disrupting businesses

By Aishat Ibrahim & Faith Oguntoye

Sitting beside his car, his face etched with exhaustion and frustration, 46-year-old Saheed Magaji, the unity chairman of transport workers’ unions — comprising the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Oko-Olowo — had just returned from dropping off his passengers in Alapa.

Despite the sunny weather, the faint wrinkles around his eyes remained visible, seemingly sparkling slightly as he described the struggles his people face due to the terrible condition of the Ohan and Morro bridges on the Ilorin-Igbeti Highway in Kwara State.

The bridges which serve as a major link between Kwara, Oyo, Cotonou, and various farmlands for the transportation of agricultural and other produce are considered strategic for the economic prospects of both states.

With their construction dating back to the colonial era and given their persistent collapse after several rehabilitation efforts that have cost millions of naira, it is believed that the 100-year lifespan of the ancient steel bridges may have been exceeded.

According to multiple sources, the bridges, which also link the state capital to 3 other Local Government Areas, have claimed several lives over the years. However, despite the risks, commuters — left with no alternatives — continue to take the chance.

“Every time we want to cross the bridge, many of our passengers get scared, afraid to even look out of the car window. They fear for their lives. We drivers also risk our lives crossing the bridge; it is completely damaged,” Magaji told this reporter during a visit in September.

Magaji explained that the unions, NURTW and RTEAN, are responsible for supervising and managing traffic on the bridge by sending some of their members to monitor the movement of vehicles and ensure safe passage.

“They do this work throughout the night, adjusting parts of the collapsed bridge to allow vehicles to cross and preventing trucks from using the route,” he said.

He added that each time trucks use the bridge, it collapses. “The materials are old and weak. We are fulfilling our part by paying the necessary taxes. The bridge is our major concern and should be fixed. The collapsed bridge damages our vehicles, especially the tires. Some of our members who are sent to the location are doing a great job controlling the movement to prevent further damage.”

Magaji further explained that this is not the first time the bridge has collapsed. He noted that each time it happens, the union steps in to make minor repairs within their capacity, but these repairs never last more than three or four months before the bridge collapses again. 

“Within a year, the bridge collapses up to four times,” he said, adding that the most recent collapse was caused by a large vehicle attempting to cross, leaving the bridge completely destroyed.

Jamiu Arewa, a member of the transport executive union, emphasized the lack of alternative routes. “We don’t have any other route to our destination but this one. The other routes are not in good condition and do not guarantee safety. If we take the alternate routes, instead of spending N6,000, we will spend up to N12,000 just to reach our destination. We can’t even increase the transport fare due to the economic conditions. This route is the only one that gives us comfort and peace,” he said.

Another motorist, Sulyman Ayuba Amao, shared his frustration with the government’s response to the issue.

He explained that whenever their leaders reach out to the government about the bridge, sometimes they are told to handle it themselves, while other times they are promised assistance but never see any action. 

“For this recent collapse, we contacted them, and they said they would come, but we haven’t seen them yet. We just hope the government will help reconstruct the bridge,” he said.

Residents lament

Abdulkareem Ayodele, a resident of Mandala, explained that while the bridge is closer to his town, they are not the only ones suffering. 

He added that people from Alapa, Sosoki, Igbeti, Banni, and Gberia also face difficulties because this is the only route they can take.

“Since the bridge collapsed three or four weeks ago, trucks can no longer cross, making it difficult for us to transport goods,” he said.

He further explained that the situation has become so dangerous that “even at night, we don’t allow our children to cross the bridge on bikes because it’s too dangerous”.

Ayodele lamented that the bridge has been persistently collapsing for about eight to ten years, noting that while the government used to assist with repairs, “now it’s the unions doing it, and it’s beyond their power”.

Persistent bridge collapses disrupting businesses, daily activities

Abdulrasaq Saka, Chairman of the Oko-Olowo to Alapa Bike Riders, expressed the significant impact the bridge has had on the local community. 

“This bridge is affecting us greatly, especially the Mandala market in Asa Local Government. I’m also a businessman who sells tomatoes and peppers, and all my customers from Ilorin have stopped coming because of the collapsed bridge. Even my daughter has stopped coming because of the stress she went through last time. The bridge has caused a lot of delays, and our businesses are not thriving. Although we try to patch the bridge ourselves, it’s beyond our capacity now,” he said.

Alhaji Mumeeni Salaudeen, the Magaji of Ojugbede Mandala Town, told The Informant247 that the bridge is causing not only physical harm but also economic hardship.

“The bridge causes a lot of injuries and hunger because people can’t go about their business. We urge the government to support us and take quick action before it gets out of hand and starts claiming lives again,” he said.

Kwara govt’s reaction 

When contacted by The Informant247, the Commissioner of Works, Hon. Abdulquawiy Olododo, clarified that the Moro Steel Bridge is a Federal Government project.

He explained that the state has repeatedly appealed to the Federal Government to complete the abandoned concrete bridge, which has long been needed to ease the movement of commuters along that route.

“The State Government, through my ministry, has taken over the repair of the steel bridge to ensure that our people no longer have to suffer or waste time along that road. Our team has been working on the fabrication of new plates for several weeks, and they are currently on-site installing them,” Olododo added.

7 years counting, N320m spent on reconstruction, yet no end in sight

In 2016, a budget provision for the rehabilitation of both Moro and Ohan bridges stood at N200 million, and in March 2017, the contract was awarded to Messrs Bilijoe + Berger Nigeria Limited, one month before another N865 million was budgeted for it.

Further findings by The Informant247 showed that between September 2018 and October 2023, the Nigerian government released over N320 million to the company for the reconstruction of the bridges. However, the rehabilitation project has remained a work in progress, with no end in sight.