From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
A bridge linking Ilawe-Ekiti to Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti State has collapsed.
The bridge caved in Tuesday evening following a heavy downpour.
The Ado-Ilawe road had served
as alternative access route to road users due to the deplorable state of the Akure/ Ado Road.
The situation caused pains to motorists, commuters as well as famers who take the route on daily basis as they continued to groan.
The situation has resulted in the cutting off of some communities like Ilawe-Ekiti, Igbara Odo, Ogotun-Ekiti from other parts of the state. Motorists coming into Ilawe-Ekiti from Ado-Ekiti and those travelling out of the ancient community were trapped while their vehicles remained on the same spot for hours.
The incident which forced some of the travellers to resort to trekking with their luggages to cross to the end of the bridge, was still the same as of Wednesday afternoon.
All vehicles and motorcycles coming from Akure and traveling along the road are now being made to follow Ilawe-Igede en route Iyin to Ado-Ekiti.
A resident of the community, Alh. Bello Saka described the situation as horrific and pathetic, noting that the commuters were subjected to harrowing experience.
He accused the federal government of abandoning federal roads in Ekiti, adding that it frustrated the funds secured by the state government from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to construct federal roads.
He said, “The caving in of the Ado-Ilawe road happened this morning. This is the road people usually follow to avoid some of the bad portions of Akure-Ado road, now the road has become bad too,” he said.
“We have some major roads connecting to Ekiti. At the moment they are in a terrible state. The Ado-Akure road is a no-go area, the Ero/Aramokun/Igede roads are bad and many other federal roads in Ekiti are in deplorable condition.
“Right now all the federal roads that exit Ekiti to Akure, Ibadan, Lagos and other states are in total collapse. Unfortunately, these are federal roads.
“There is a problem with federal roads in Ekiti. We have been abandoned by the federal government.”
The Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi called on the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Road Maintenance Agency, and the Ekiti State Government to come to the aid of the people in the area.
Meanwhile, the Sector Commander, federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Olusola Joseph has advised motorists to use alternative routes.
Joseph who made the announcement on Wednesday, said the development makes it impossible for motorists to pass through the collapsed bridge.
“A bridge at the entry of Ilawe Ekiti from Ado just collapsed and the development makes it outrightly impossible for vehicles to pass through Ado – Igbara odo route.
“FRSC Officials are on the ground for traffic diversion. This will continue until the needful is done by the appropriate authorities. Ado – Iyin -Igede – Ilawe – Igbaraodo-Igbaraoke- Akure and Ado-Iju/Itaognolu-Akure”.