The Kwara State Technical Committee (STC) of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has visited the Akerebiata bridge that links Harmony with Sango in Ilorin.
According to the Chairman of Kwara State Technical Committee (STC), Engr Bashir Atunde, contrary to media report, the failure at Akerebiata is not a Bridge Collapse; the failure is an Abutment Underscoring due to Seepage between the Abutment and the Retaining Walls.
The team suggested that a Transition Slab Underpinning will solve the problem, and make the Bridge motorable once more. They however, charged relevant Government Agencies to as a matter of urgency stop vehicles and motorcycles from plying the bridge immediately.
My Engineers explains that an abutment is the substructure at the ends of a bridge span or dam supporting its superstructure. The abutment undermines due to river-bed erosion and scouring, which generally recognized as the main cause of abutment failure.
My Engineers gathered that a heavy downpour which has lasted Thursday nights to friday led to destruction of properties within the metropolis.
Two bridges along Kulende Harmony Estate and Akerebiata area and another one between Medina and Technical area, Oloje; both in Ilorin were reportedly damaged.
The flood also destroyed some houses and washed away fish farms and ponds in many areas of the town.
..Kwara Government promises action urge residents to stop indiscriminate dumping of wastes
Meanwhile, Kwara state government which confirmed the incidents. In a statement jointly signed by the commissioner for Environment, Mrs Remilekun Banigbe and commissioner for Works, Engr Rotimi Iliasu sympathized with those affected while pleading understanding as Government take steps to address issues.
“The government specifically commiserated with residents of Pakata area in Ilorin West Local Government where a mud house caved in, killing a woman in the process.
“Different teams of experts and administrators from the Ministries of Environment; Works and Transports have visited the various areas that were flooded. While government is already taking steps to attend to the Akerebiata bridge that partially caved in as a result of the downpour, we appeal to citizens to desist from indiscriminate dump of refuse in drainages and all waterways. Similarly, some people who had long built houses on waterways are another major reason this is happening.
“Apart from the obvious increase in rainfalls nationwide owing to climate change, incessant dump of waste in our drainage remains a major reason for the flooding, as refuse continues to block free flow of water. No matter how many drainage the government constructs and the number of times such drainages are desilted, continuous indiscriminate of refuse will always subject everyone to avoidable losses, hardship and embarrassment as we have seen over time.
“The government, meanwhile, urges residents of Akerebiata and all other road users to make use of the alternative route of Gambari-Sobi Road pending when the repair works on the bridge will be completed. The government regrets the inconveniences this might cause everyone.” the statement added.
Some of the areas affected included Okelele, Amilengbe, Isale Koko, Harmony/ Akerebiata, Asa Dam, Òdòta, Surulere, Baboko, Airport area, Warrah Oja, Sawmill, Kuntu, Oloje, Sango, Isale Aluko and Offa Gararage/Olulande.