By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The ongoing N2.4bn flyover bridge project along Tanke/University of Ilorin road would be ready for public use in January 2023.

Kwara State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Rotimi Iliasu, dropped the hint on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the project site by journalists in Ilorin, the state capital.

To meet the deadline, the contractor handling the project has redoubled efforts towards meeting the December, 2022 deadline set for the completion of the project, though the contractor is seeking an extension for its completion to January 2023.

This is just as residents of Tanke area have heaved a sigh of relief and commended the contractor over the spate of work on the flyover project designed to ease traffic gridlock on the ever busy road.

“I can tell Kwarans that the Tanke/UNILORIN flyover project will be ready for use by January, by the special grace of God. The contractor has till the end of December to handover the project to the state government. The contractor and his team are working day and night to deliver the project on schedule,” Iliasu stated.

The Commissioner, who expressed satisfaction with the level of the job done so far, also hailed the contractor for doing quality job, adding that: “We are not doing anything less than the expectations of our people.

“It’s a N2.4bn project and we are not staffing the contractor of funds. The contract money has been locked up and we pay as work progresses. People will drive on the flyover bridge by January. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is a good manager of resources. So, when we embark on any project, the money for the entire project is locked up and we release funds to contractors as work progresses.”

Upon completion, Iliasu said the flyover bridge would enhance vehicular movements in the area, as well as business activities along the route, adding that, “it will save time, ease vehicular movements and improve business activities in the area, as well as the aesthetic beauty of the state capital. It will help greatly in easing traffic gridlock in Tanke and its environs for the next 30 years.”

Two residents of Tanke area, Mr Edward Dada and Hajia Afusat Alabi said they are happy that the contractor has intensified efforts towards timely completion of the project.