AbdulRazaq hails Tinubu as construction begins on Oko-Olowo bridge

By Ahmed Olayinka

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the commencement of construction work on the Oko-Olowo Bridge, describing the project as the fulfilment of a long-standing demand by his administration.

AbdulRazaq, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mashood Agboola, said the development demonstrated the President’s commitment to the safety and welfare of residents of Kwara State.

The governor said the state government began advocating for the reconstruction of the bridge in 2019 and renewed its appeal following Tinubu’s assumption of office in 2023.

“Our advocacy on this bridge began in 2019. We again renewed this advocacy as the President settled into office in 2023,” AbdulRazaq said.

He recalled that in 2024, he visited the Minister of Works, David Umahi, alongside Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, and members of the National Assembly from Kwara, to press for the construction of the bridge and the Ilorin-Lokoja Road through Omu-Aran.

AbdulRazaq said Umahi, during his visit to Kwara in October 2025, had assured the state that construction work on the bridge would commence soon.

He described the commencement of work as a “dream come true” and fulfilment of the commitment made by President Tinubu and the Works Minister.

According to him, the project would provide relief to tens of thousands of residents living around the axis and motorists who regularly use the route, while also helping to protect lives and property.

“We are grateful, and we see this as an intentional effort to protect lives and property. It is a relief to tens of thousands of our people who live in that axis or travel along that road every other day,” he said.

The development comes months after the old Moro Bridge along the Oko-Olowo/Mandala axis collapsed, disrupting a major link between Kwara and neighbouring Oyo State.

The bridge collapsed at about 5am on April 30, 2026, reportedly after a heavy-duty truck passed over the ageing structure. The incident disrupted traffic along the Ilorin-Igbeti Federal Highway and prompted the state government to divert traffic while carrying out palliative work on alternative routes.

The old structure, described as a colonial-era Bailey bridge, had served as an important link between Kwara and Oyo states, as well as routes leading towards the Benin Republic border.

The situation worsened on May 18 after heavy rainfall caused the Moro River to overflow, submerging vehicles and leaving commuters stranded around the collapsed bridge.

The prolonged disruption later prompted transport unions to appeal to President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq in June for urgent intervention, warning that the failed bridge and another collapsed bridge on the Ohan River were adversely affecting transportation and economic activities in Kwara North.

With construction now underway, AbdulRazaq expressed optimism that the Federal Government would also expedite action on other requests, particularly the Ilorin-Lokoja Road through Omu-Aran.

“We are also confident that the honourable minister will graciously expedite action on our other requests, including the Ilorin-Lokoja via Omu-Aran, for the good of our people,” he said.

The governor described the Oko-Olowo project as one of the dividends of democracy being enjoyed by residents of the state, expressing confidence that it would further strengthen support for the Tinubu administration and APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.