…says, N3bn expended so far
By Matthew Denis
The Consultant of the Split Diamond Interchange otherwise known as Geri-Alimi Underpass, Engr. Bashir Lawal has informed this medium that the project will be for usage by motorists in February.
Engr. Lawal, who is the Managing Director of BAL Engineering Limited made the disclosure yesterday during an exclusive interview with this medium on Wednesday.
Recall that the N3.7 billion project was flagged off by the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed in September, 2016.
Speaking with our reporter, the Consultant said, “The contractor is aware that he has to finish the underpass with the expiration of this government. We are thinking before the end of February, the work will be completed.
“Though there was timeframe given for the project but you know when you are on the site there are certain constraints that may affect the schedule for the completion of the project. We have a problem of major water pipe crossing the road which we have been able to resolve 90 per cent.
“We have two major pipes that crossed the underpass and we have placed those pipes by creating channels in appropriate positions. You know the Ministry of Water Resources had to supervise the laying of those pipes to their own specifications. They have finished that of 600mm some weeks ago and they are currently laying the 800mm. Because of that, we have asked the contractor to suspend any work within the vicinity.
“If you go there now, you will see that they have started laying the stone base for the underpass.
“The project is at the finishing stage and when you are at this stage, you have to ensure that things are done accordingly and neatly too.
“We are also mindful of the coming of the rain and there are many things that the state government is focusing its attention on, like payment of civil servants salary and this slowed down the capital project funding by the state government,” he said.
He however debunked speculations that the original plan of the project has been distorted by the contractor.
He said, “You see when you are not an engineer, you just make assumptions without seeing the drawings of the project. There is a diamond curve that connected the two bridges but without laying the water pipe properly, there is no way we can connect those curves.
“We have not changed anything in the design of the project and we call people to come to us to verify information rather than speculating rumors. So the two arks haven’t been set up that’s why people are thinking otherwise.”
On the funds expended, Engr. Lawal put it at N3billion so far.
According to him, the project has three phases and the underpass itself is the phase one given the timeframe for completion soon.
He explained that the phase two is the expansion terminating at Total filling station along Ilorin Grammar School (IGS) while the phase three captures the expansion of the road to Sawmill and General axis.
