The Kwara government has said substandard materials were used for the damaged Geri-Alimi underpass bridge constructed three years ago by the administration of the immediate past governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The Geri-Alimi Diamond Underpass, inaugurated in May 2019 by ex-governor Mr Ahmed, became an eyesore as a portion of the underpass has failed.

“If the work were done properly, it would take like 10 to 12 years before any attempt of maintenance,” the state Commissioner for Works, Rotimi Iliasu, said while inspecting the failed portion of the bridge on Tuesday in Ilorin.

He said a stone base of 2cm was used to construct the bridge instead of 10cm.

The commissioner explained that the water table of the bridge is high and was not filled with rock very well, which can also course the damage.

He added that most of the ongoing road contracts inherited from the last administration were awarded at a bogus amount, saying that it is not easy to terminate the contract except through the court.

He said the project was initially awarded at N2.4 billion and later revised upward to N3.7 billion two months after the last administration left office.

“We are renegotiating most of the road contracts we inherited from the last administration.

“It is not easy to terminate the contract because we have to go through court processes, and it will be delayed,” the commissioner said.

He said section 1 of the Geri-Alimi bridge was not certified by the state Ministry of Works because of the poor job done by the last administration.

The commissioner described the materials used as substandard, adding that asphaltic equipment was inadequate, making some parts of the road spoil quickly.

He, however, assured motorists that the road would be fixed very soon, saying the spoiled portion would be cut out and rebuilt from the base. 

(NAN)