Kwara State government has opened the second service lane of the Tunde Idiagbon Flyover along Tanke road, Ilorin, the state capital to ease the traffic along the axis.

The government had earlier opened one of the service lanes, but the second one was opened on Wednesday afternoon along with the tributary roads emptying into it as construction work ramps up on the bridge.

The government also said the flyover is 99 percent ready and will be opened very soon.

The state's commissioner for works, Hon Abdulqowiyu Olododo, stated this in Ilorin during a facility tour of the bridge and other road projects in some parts of the metropolis.

“This afternoon, we have opened the second service lane for ease of movement. Our people have actually shown us understanding throughout the cycle of this project and we thank them for that. Last two weeks or so, we opened the first service lane.

Today, we have opened the second one. What is left on the project does not disturb vehicular movement”, he said.

“What is left is just road marking, painting of walkways and kerbs, which will be done at night. We have told the contractor to make provision for flood lights to be able to work at night when there will be less or no vehicular movement,” the commissioner added.

Olododo said officials of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) recently certified that the flyover is safe for public use.

“A few weeks back when I was here, I said the project would be delivered by the first quarter of 2024. With what we have seen here, we can say that it is 99 percent completed because what is left is just road marking, painting of the walkways and kerbs, which do not disturb the free flow of traffic.

“Two weeks back, we were here with the team of COREN (Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria) to ascertain the work we have done. Prior to their visit to the bridge, we held several meetings where they also verified the result of what we had done on the bridge, and they certified all the results.

“So, at the end of their visit to the bridge, they also certified that it was good to go. And more so, with the final work that we did on this bridge, we have seen a number of heavy-duty trucks that have been plying it. That goes to show you that the bridge is suitable for public use,” he added.