Wasiu Atitebi, the Federal Controller of Works in Kwara State, says the fallen plates on the Asa Bridge in Moro Local Government area of Kwara State, posing danger to motorists, will be replaced soon.
The Eagle Online had earlier reported, with video backing, motorists carefully meandering through the damaged bridge.
The video was shot by a teacher in the area, who said it was the only route they use in accessing schools.
Atitebi made the position of the Federal Government known to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Ilorin.
He said: “We have been engaging in palliative alternatives all this while, but what we are working toward now is to have more lasting palliatives until the completion of the new bridge under construction.
“That is supposed to be the permanent solution to address the recurring problem on the Bailey Bridge.
“It is not that a newly constructed bridge collapsed.
“It is a metal plate placed on the iron that fell off the bridge.
“Whenever the plates fall off, we replace them.
“So, now we have got in touch with the headquarters to replace the fallen plates.”
Commenting, Alhaji Daudu Suleiman, the Alangua of Awe in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, said that the bridge had turned into death trap as motorists still plying the collapsed bridge.
Suleiman said that the bridge, which was constructed during the Colonial era, has not been renovated.
The traditional ruler said there was no alternative road for people living in the area, adding that this was the reason why motorists were still plying the route.
He said that the bridge serves as the link for farmers to take their farm produce to the markets.
Suleiman, therefore, called on the government to reconstruct the temporary bridge pending the completion of the permanent one.
The traditional chief also called for urgent repair of the bridge to ease the sufferings of people in the area.
Also, the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Nigeria Association of Women Journalists in the state called on the Federal Government to repair the bridge, describing it as a death trap.
Ahmed Abdullateef, the NUJ Chairman, Kwara State Chapter, explained that the Asa Bridge was a major and strategic route connecting Kwara, Oyo and other communities as far away Baruten Local Government Area.
Abdullateef said the bridge was long overdue for repair, adding that it was made of steel constructed by Nigerian Army engineers a long time ago.
He said: “By the nature of such bridge, it is no longer needed in the 21st century.
“The best option is for the Federal Government to rebuild it.
“It is high time government takes quick action on it beyond the normal rehabilitation.
“The best option is for the bridge to be totally demolished and a new one constructed.”
Hajia Binta Mora, the former Chairperson of NAWOJ and indigene of Baruten, described the Moro/Asa Bridge as “a disaster waiting to happen” except urgent actions were taken to repair it.
According to Mora, the bridge is in a deplorably state and poses danger to commuters using the it.
“It is the only link between Kwara North and the other parts of the state, except if you want to pass alternative route from Mokwa, before you get to Kainji and then head to Baruten,” she said.
In his reactions, Alhaji Olayinka Onikijipa, Chairman, Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria in Kwara State, called on the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, to come to the aid of commuters in the area and alleviate their sufferings.
Onikijipa said that people of the area had been subjected to a lot of hardship because of the condition of the bridge.
He said: “The construction work was abandoned since 2018.
“It may interest you to note that the construction of Ohan-Moro Bridge on Ilorin-Igbeti Road was awarded on March 22, 2017 to Bilijoe + Berger, with Contract Number 6311.
“This has imposed a lot of hardship on the people, especially the transport workers and farmers, who are in the majority here.
“The colonial structure has almost collapsed, causing unimaginable hardship to all us.”
Onikijipa, therefore, appealed to Fashola to direct the contractor to go back to site without any further delay.
He added: “Our people are suffering.
“We beg the minister to come to our rescue now to save our businesses from collapse.”
In his remarks, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Ariwo-Ola, state Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, said that the union had been involved in palliative measures to make the bridge passable.
Ariwo-Ola said that the bridge had claimed many lives, calling for drastic and urgent action to forestall further casualties.
He said: “We appeal to the Federal Government to intervene on the devastating condition of the Moro Bridge, which connects the only road to Chikanda in Kosubosu, Kaiama Local Government Area, to the neighbouring country.
“Many lives had been lost because of the poor and terrible condition of the bridge, which has now turned to a death trap.”
NAN.