The bridge, which was constructed over 40 years ago by Nigerian Army engineers, collapsed in December 2009, causing untold hardship to people who ply the regional road.

The bridge links Ilorin with the Northern parts including Kaiama and Baruten of the state and Oyo north area.

Speaking during the handing over ceremony in Ilorin on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Dr. Abubakar Kannike, said the state government intervened on the federal road last November with the release of N42.4 million for immediate reconstruction work, so as not to paralyse socio-economic activities in the affected areas.

Kannike, said the state government contacted the 22 Army Brigade, Sobi, Kwara State for the reconstruction since it was originally constructed by the Nigerian Army.

He, therefore, commended the GOC, 2nd Division, Ibadan, the Commander, 22 Army Brigade, Ilorin and the entire engineering corps of the division for the prompt completion of the project.

Also speaking, the GOC, 2nd Mechanised Division, Ibadan, Major General Mohammed Abubakar, represented by Brig. Gen. Saidu Bello of the 22 Army Brigade Command, Ilorin, said the reconstruction took 11 weeks, adding that the execution of the project was in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General O. A. Ihejirika, to "transform the Nigerian Army into a force better able to meet contemporary challenges of which assistance to civil authorities was emphasised."

In order to improve civil/military relationship, he said the COAS had directed that military units should assist in carrying out projects that would benefit their host communities, saying the reconstruction of Ohan bridge was one of such projects.

The army boss, thanked Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for believing in the capability of the Nigerian Army in carrying out the construction project, saying that it had further fostered cordial relationship between the state government and the Nigerian Army,