International trade between Nigeria and Republic of Benin was halted on Monday following the collapse of a bridge linking the two countries at Chikanda in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the bridge collapsed after a downpour which started from last Sunday till Monday.
The collapsed bridge was constructed in 2010.
Some commuters, who spoke to journalists, appealed for quick intervention of both countries in the interest of sustainable business activities.
A resident of Yashikira, Mallam Lafia Gunu, said the situation was worrisome, as his mother, Hajia Halima Lafia, who travelled to Benin Republic, was stranded due to the collapsed bridge.
The Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Umar Seriki, called on the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Road Maintenance Agency, and the Kwara State Government to come to the aid of the people in the area.
The Federal Controller of Works overseeing Kwara North Central, Kayode Ibrahim, said his men had already embarked on a trip to ascertain the level of damage.
Ibrahim said the workers would check the environment, while the outcome of their visit would determine their next line of action.
He, however, assured residents that an immediate solution would be provided because of the economic importance of the bridge to the two West African countries.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State House of Assembly at it plenary on Tuesday urged the state governor to urgently mobilise resources for the team of engineers from the Ministry of Works and Transport to fix the road for the use of the people.
