Society Column Editor
By Gite Igiehon
A major transportation crisis is unfolding just days before the Sallah celebrations as the collapse of the Mokwa Bridge in Niger State has triggered a sharp increase in the prices of tomatoes, peppers, and other perishable goods across several states in Nigeria.
The Mokwa Bridge, a crucial link connecting northern agricultural hubs to markets in the southern part of the country, collapsed earlier this week following days of heavy rainfall and structural wear. The disaster has caused significant traffic disruption and brought logistics for food transportation to a grinding halt.
Supply Chain Breakdown Hits Food Prices
The timing of the collapse—so close to the Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) festivities—has heightened the impact, with market prices for tomatoes, peppers, and onions surging as supplies dwindle. These staple ingredients, essential for preparing traditional Sallah dishes, are now in short supply in many urban centers.
In Lagos and Ibadan, traders report that the price of a basket of tomatoes has nearly doubled in the last five days, jumping from ₦15,000 to over ₦30,000. Similarly, the price of a bag of pepper has risen from ₦12,000 to ₦22,000 in some markets.
“Most of our tomatoes come from the North through that route,” said Maryam Abdullahi, a vegetable seller at Mile 12 market in Lagos. “Now that trucks are stranded, we are forced to sell what we have at higher prices. It’s not our fault.”
Transporters and Farmers Count Their Losses
Long queues of transport vehicles, especially those carrying perishable goods, have built up along alternate routes, which are either too narrow or in poor condition. Perishable items are rotting in transit, leaving farmers and food transporters frustrated and at a loss.
“We harvested our tomatoes expecting to reach the market in time for Sallah sales,” said Alhaji Musa Bala, a tomato farmer in Kano. “Now we’re watching them spoil in trucks because the bridge is gone.”
Transport union representatives say the collapse of the bridge has already cost farmers and traders millions of naira and may lead to long-term food inflation if not addressed immediately.
Government Promises Swift Action
In response to public outcry, the Federal Ministry of Works has acknowledged the situation and assured Nigerians that emergency repair works will commence shortly.
A statement released on Wednesday read:
“The Federal Government is aware of the Mokwa Bridge collapse and is working with the Niger State Government and emergency agencies to restore access and reduce further economic impact. Temporary alternative routes are being considered.”
However, for traders and consumers preparing for the Sallah holiday, the assurance offers little immediate relief.
Sallah Preparations Take a Hit
For many Muslim families, Sallah is a time for celebration, community feasting, and the preparation of elaborate meals. With the sudden hike in prices, some families are being forced to scale back.
“We were planning to cook for the entire extended family,” said Hajara Ahmed, a mother of four in Ilorin. “But with the prices now, we may just manage with what we can afford.”
Consumer rights groups are urging the government to provide temporary relief measures and support affected farmers and traders to prevent a food crisis during the festive period.
As Nigeria heads into one of the most important Islamic holidays, the collapse of a single bridge has laid bare the country’s fragile infrastructure and its deep reliance on a few key routes for food distribution. Unless urgent steps are taken, the ripple effects of the Mokwa Bridge disaster may linger far beyond Sallah, affecting food prices and supply chains for weeks to come.
