The Kwara State Government has said the crack of some slabs and some portion of the carriageway was due to some damage to the 800mm water pipe and the resultant water leakage around the multi billion naira project.

A statement on Friday by the state Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Dr Yusuf Garba Manjo, said it was not true that the development could lead to the collapse of the bridge, insisting it was a fault already being attended to.

The statement added: “This is to inform the general public that the depression of transition slab and some portion of the carriageway along Olorunsogo axis at Geri Alimi Diamond Split Interchange and underpass was caused by the deflection of one of the joints of the 800mm rising main water pipe feeding western reservoir tank at Adewole. The deflection of the 800mm pipe resulted into leakages at the joint which leaked pressurised water to the Olorunshogo axis of the carriageway, inclusive of the underneath transition slab, resulting into the minor rotation of the transition slab to Bridge A (airport axis).

“Consequently, the contractor has been directed to effect necessary repair and the remedial work has commenced since Wednesday 25th September 2019. Bridge A (airport axis) has therefore been closed for traffic to ensure repairs of the damaged 800mm raising main water pipe and the carriageway.

“The Ministry of Works and Transport has equally deployed traffic officers of the Kwara State Road Traffic Management Agency (KWARTMA) to the area to ensure free flow of traffic. All motorists are hereby advised to exercise caution and to cooperate with the traffic officers and the contractor on the site to enable easy passage of vehicular movement during the repair period.”

Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, meanwhile, has expressed displeasure over the poor quality of job carried out at Geri Alimi underpass, resulting in noticeable cracks on the multibillion naira project which the last administration inaugurated only in May.

Mr Alabi said during an unscheduled visit to the underpass that the sudden cracks around the project exposed the shoddy job done on the project.

Mr Alabi said the collapse of the water pipe – resulting in deflection of water in the area – mirrored the poor quality of job on the bridge.

He warned that such act would not be condoned by the new administration in view of the huge sum of money spent on the construction of the bridge by the immediate past administration.

The Abdulfattah Ahmed administration had spent N3,639,444,659.04 on the underpass. The alleged crack on the bridge has raised concerns in the state, with citizens questioning the integrity of the structure and the danger it poses to the public.

Mr Alabi has nonetheless ordered the relevant authorities, including Ministries of Water Resources and Works, to urgently address the issues to avoid loss of lives or disruption of businesses around the area.

Mr Alabi explained that the security and safety of the people is paramount to the present administration and would not accept shoddy job from any contractor.

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