Flooding has disrupted movement along the Okolowo–Alapa Road linking Kwara and Oyo states, with motorists and residents struggling to navigate the affected section.
The development comes about three months after the Kwara State Government installed a temporary bridge made from shipping containers following the collapse of the old Moro Bridge.
Residents who spoke about the situation said the temporary structure had not solved the flooding problem in the area. According to them, heavy rainfall quickly causes water to spread across the road, making movement difficult and sometimes forcing motorists to wait for hours.
One resident said the community had expected the government’s intervention to provide relief after the collapse of the old bridge, but flooding remained a major challenge.
Another resident said the road was particularly important because it connects communities in Kwara with parts of Oyo State. Trucks, tankers, traders and other road users regularly pass through the route.
Residents also expressed concern about the safety of motorists who attempt to drive through the floodwaters, warning that vehicles could become stranded as the water level rises.
Videos from the area showed floodwater covering portions of the highway around the Moro River, with vehicles struggling to cross.
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The situation has also affected commercial activities, as traders and transport operators reportedly face delays whenever the road becomes flooded.
The temporary bridge was constructed after the old Moro Bridge collapsed on April 29, 2026. The collapse reportedly occurred after a heavy-duty truck attempted to cross the ageing structure.
The incident resulted in a fatal accident and injuries. A truck carrying stones reportedly fell into the collapsed section, while four young men travelling on two motorcycles later plunged into the area. One of them died, while the others were injured.
The condition of the bridge had been a concern for years before the collapse.
A previous investigation into the abandoned reconstruction project found that the contract for the Moro and Ohan bridges was initially awarded for about N865 million. Additional funding later increased the project value to more than N1.2 billion.
The road serves as an important route for the movement of agricultural products and other goods between Kwara and Oyo communities.
The Kwara State Government has maintained that the Moro Bridge is federal infrastructure and that its intervention was only intended as a temporary measure while awaiting a permanent replacement by the Federal Government.
In May 2026, the state Ministry of Works said the government had spent about N27 million on its latest palliative work on the federal bridge. The ministry also rejected claims that the state had spent N1.2 billion on the temporary intervention.
Earlier warnings had also been raised about the ability of the container bridge to withstand the heavy traffic using the route.
A civil engineer, Babatunde Abdulganiy, had said such temporary structures could be used under appropriate engineering conditions but should not be subjected to continuous heavy-duty traffic without proper design and load restrictions.
He also warned that inadequate space for floodwater to pass beneath the structure could increase the risk of flooding and potentially undermine the bridge.
With the rainy season continuing, residents are now calling for urgent action to prevent another accident and restore safe movement along the highway.
They said the temporary arrangement should eventually give way to a properly designed and permanent bridge capable of handling the traffic and flooding challenges along the corridor.
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