Kwara State government has attributed the delay in the completion of Tunde Idiagbon Flyover project on University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Road, Tanke, Ilorin, the state capital to market forces and climatic challenges.

The commissioner for works, Engr Rotimi Ilyasu, who spoke on the project, said the delay in the project completion, which was started over a year ago, was due to weather challenges and market forces.

He said that work on the flyover project has reached between 85 and 90 percent completion.

He, however, said that weather conditions had slowed down the rate of work, explaining that recent rainfalls had washed away earth work on surfaces of the road.

“In a couple of weeks, hopefully before May 29, it will be ready for use. Actually, both sides of the flyover are partially open for motorists now, especially in the evening when work is not done. All hands are on deck to deliver a quality job. This is a project we can’t take chances on. And so far, it’s been very good,” he added.

He identified weather challenges and undulating market prices as some of the factors responsible for the delay in delivering the project to the public.

But, the residents of the area have lamented the inconvenience the delay of the project has caused them.

Those who spoke with LEADERSHIP Friday included commuters and shop owners on the project route.

Two residents, Mr John Abidemi and Olagoke Kolade, however, expressed appreciation to the state government for embarking on the project aimed at easing traffic gridlock on the ever-busy Tanke Road.

They said, “This area used to witness heavy traffic jams. With this, we can see that achievements are speaking for the governor among his peers in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“However, we residents of the Tanke area feel that the project should have been completed by now knowing that this project has a deadline. This is the rainy season and we’re yet to get the project completed. We only hope that the project will be delivered for the use of the general public.”

They called on the government to complete the project on time to ease the inconveniences being experienced.

Mrs Opemipo Shade, who said that development does not come to any society without some level of suffering or hardship, however, said that some people were being deprived of their socio-economic livelihood along the route.

“So, we call on the state to expedite action on the project and commission it for the use of the people, especially the students, and motoring public,” she stated.