Residents and motorists in the Okolowo area of Ilorin, Kwara State have called out for help after the bridge linking Kwara and Oyo States collapsed, cutting off the two states.
Transporters and farmers, especially those who ply the road on a daily basis, are facing severe hardship in accessing both sides of the state.
The collapsed bridge is known to have linked like three to four local governments together, in Kwara and Oyo States.
Hence, the affected residents have appealed to the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Road Safety Commission and the Minister of Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola to come to their aid in the rehabilitation of the Ohan bridge, which is very close to Alapa village in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State.
They appealed to the Minister of Works to save their souls as there is no other source of income than driving and farming, insisting they have elderly parents, wives and children who depend on income made from the road.
Meanwhile, the Sector Commander represented by the Admin and Human Resources Deputy Corps Commander, Akinwumi O. Fasakin and Sector Public Enlightenment Officer, Mr O. B. Basambo, has visited the scene for an assessment of the situation.
He pleaded with the transport union to be patient with the government and assured that the FRSC will make a presentation to relevant agencies on the matter.
Similarly, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kwara State has asked the affected persons to keep calm over the collapse of Okolowo Bridge linking Kwara to Oyo State.
The corps, in a statement on Friday said it will make presentations to the relevant authorities for prompt action.
The Kwara Sector Commander, Fredrick Ogidan, pleaded with residents and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to be patient over the matter.
“The command’s attention was drawn to the collapsed bridge and we have made on the spot assessment of the collapse and damage.
“We assure residents and the union that brought the information to us, the NURTW, that we will inform the appropriate agencies; all we ask for is patience from the general motoring public”, he stated.