Diamond split: Motorists lament deplorable state of Geri-Alimi road

Motorists plying the the Geri-Alimi Split Diamond Underpass, in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital have cried out over the deplorable state of the road.

The commuters, who were mostly commercial drivers, told THE INFORMANT247 that they were losing a lot because of the road, which has become almost impassable.

Our correspondent, who visited the area on Tuesday, observed that the two lanes that connect Taiwo and Olorunsogo roads to Odota axis had been cut off, while the lane that links Odota to Asadam road within the underpass “roundabout” is also in a deplorable state as a result of gullies and flood.

Recall that about 3 months after commissioning of the underpass by the immediate past administration, cracks begin to appear on it surface. This cause panic for commuters and residents plying the road.

However, the state government allayed the fears of residents of the state by assuring that contractor has been directed to effect necessary repairs.

The government explained that 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.

The constructing company, Duravil, was recalled back to the site and part of the lanes were partially closed to commence reconstruction work on the damaged section.

Consequently, the road is yet to be back in good shape since work begin on it, last year September.

Speaking with our correspondent, a taxi driver, who identified himself simply as Hanafi, attributed the poor state of the road to the quality of work done by the Maigida administration.

He further reiterate that the delay in reconstructing the project as promised by the AbdulRazaq administration is also adding to the situation.

Hanafi said, “When the road was first completed, it was a relieve for all of us, but since it started to collapse last year, the traffic here is now becoming unbearable.”

Another driver, Ibrahim Ilyas, explained that the rain had worsened the condition of the road, adding that heavy duty vehicles are causing more damage to the road, the way it is left, on daily basis.

Ilyas stated, “the road has become more terrible, it’s high time the government completed this project.”