…as Kwara Govt swing into actions

By Abdul Momoh

About three lives have been reportedly dead while two others escaped as Oko- Erin bridged collapsed as a result of heavy downpour in the Ilorin metropolis on Saturday.

Speaking to newsmen at the scene of the event, an eyes witness, Chinedu Emmanuel confirmed the incident and describes it a monumental lost.

According to him, ‘they were five in the car, two of them manage to come out as the driver struggled to navigate amid heavy erosion that blocked the road as it eventually pushed the car into the stream.’

“What really happened was that at about 10pm in the night, I noticed that some Okada riders were turning back as they approached the bridge.

“I discovered that the bridge has been covered with heavy water. I ran outside trying to stop vehicles coming. Two of the vehicles reversed, but this very Guy maybe he didn’t know what was happening until he gets to the middle of the bridge,” he said.

Continuing, “I discovered that the erosion has forcefully taken his motor and he was struggling to maneuver through.’

“Two people managed to ran out of the car, but the driver could not make it and he fell into the water together with the car,” Chinedu affirmed.

Also speaking at the scene, the Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on community intervention, Kayode Oyin Subar said the incendent has been brought before the Governor and he has directed all relevant agencies on intervention to swings into action.

“We got the wind of this incident very early this morning and immediately we swing into action as you can see we are here and we have called all relevant agencies on intervention.

“As an interventionist, I called the Kwara State Road Maintenance Agency (KWATMA) and other relevant agencies of Government to come and assist “

“When we got here, we noticed that what happened has to do with our indecent practice of dumping refuse indiscriminately forgetting that when you block water channels, water will find its ways.

“The incidence is unfortunate and we have reported it to Governor AbdulRasaq AbdulRahaman and he has also responded immediately.

“I can assure you that all agencies of government will swing into action immediately. We just appeal to the people to move away from here so as to avert further casualties, ” the SA said.

In the same vein, the Alangua of Oko-Erin, Alh. Abdulmumini Jimoh called on the Kwara State Government to come to the rescue of the people of Oko-Erin in respect of the bridge.

“We plead to the Governor of Kwara State, Mall. AbdulRasaq AbdulRaman to please help us at Oko-Erin. We severally complained about the danger pose by the bridge to the ministry of environment all this while, but all our plead fell on deaf ear,” Alangua said.

  Ilorin, Kwara State, Kwara State Government, Oko-Erin