Residents of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, have expressed concern over inconvenience being caused by the purported delay in completion of Tunde Idiagbon flyover at Tanke area of the metropolis by the state government.
This is just as the state commissioner for Works, Engineer Rotimi Ilyasu, explained that a series of postponements experienced on completion of the project, which started over a year ago, was caused by climatic weather challenges and market forces.
According to Mr. John Abidemi and Olagoke Kolade, residents of the area expressed sincere appreciation to the state government and the governor on the ongoing project, saying, “This area used to witness heavy traffic jams. With this, we can see that achievements are speaking for the governor among his peers in the APC.
“However, we residents of Tanke area feel that the project should have been completed by now knowing that this project has deadline. This is raining season and we’re yet to get the project completed. We only hope that the project would be delivered on time for use of the general public”.
The people, thus, called on the government to complete the project on time to ease inconvenience being experienced.
Mrs. Opemipo Shade, who opined development does not come to any society without some level of suffering or hardship, however, said that some people were being deprived of their socio-economic livelihood along the route. “So we call on the state to expedite action on the project and commission it for use by the people, especially the students, and motoring public”.
But in reaction, the state commissioner for Works, Engineer Rotimi Ilyasu, explained that works on the flyover project has reached between 85 and 90 per cent, adding that the work was being rounded up with continuation of stone base work on the flyover project which, he said, is expected to be completed this week.
The Commissioner, however, said that weather conditions had slowed down the rate of work, explaining that recent rainfalls had washed away earth work on surfaces of the ongoing road project.
“Beauty of the project is already coming out for all to see. Communities, and people living around like shop owners along the route have already started sending comments to commend the state government, saying they never knew the project could appear so good.
“In a couple of weeks, hopefully before May 29, it will be ready for use. Actually, both sides of the flyover are partially open for motorists now, especially in the evening when work is not done.”
Engineer Rotimi Ilyasu, who assured of quality of the project, said that various engineering professional bodies and individuals had visited the site to carry out independent inspections to ascertain the quality of the work done so far.
“All hands are on deck to deliver quality job. This is a project we can’t take chances on. And so far, it’s been very good”.
He identified weather challenges and undulating market prices as some of the factors for the delay experienced so far in delivering the project to the public.