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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The people of Ishieke Autonomous community in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have expressed support for the ongoing construction of a two-span bridge in Ogbogbo-Ekebeligwe by Governor Francis Nwifuru in the area.
President General of community and Chairman of the local government, Augustine Uburu, who inspected the project, yesterday, reaffirmed the confidence of the community in the quality of projects being executed by the state government, including the bridge.
He commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for what he described as massive infrastructure development across the council area, dismissing allegations that some ongoing projects in the area were substandard.
“We are here to sincerely thank His Excellency, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for the numerous projects he is executing in Ebonyi Local Government Area. From roads to bridges and other infrastructure, the governor has demonstrated commitment to the welfare of our people,” Uburu said.
He listed some of the projects to include the completion of the Nwogbaga Alo Road, stretching from the stadium area to Randa; the extension of roads from Randa to Otam; Nwofe and Egwudinagu, as well as the completion of the Ekebeligwe-Ishieke road project initiated by former governor and current Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
He said the state government is also constructing major bridges at Oji Nwogbaga Alo, Ogbogbo-Egwudnagu Ishieke, and Ogbogbo-Ekebeligwe, among other infrastructure projects.
Uburu maintained that allegations of poor quality work on the Ogbogbo bridge project were unfounded, noting that technical explanations provided by engineers handling the project showed that the observed defect was only on a temporary formwork and not on any structural component of the bridge.
“His Excellency has never executed a substandard project for the people of Ebonyi Local Government. All his projects are standard and designed to stand the test of time,” he said.
The council chairman explained that leadership should be judged fairly, adding that major engineering projects require adequate time to ensure quality delivery.
“It is not how long, but how well. When you rush projects of this magnitude, mistakes can occur. What is important is that the structure is strong and built according to engineering specifications,” Uburu stated.
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He also urged political leaders and public figures to seek expert opinion before making technical comments on engineering projects.
“I am a lawyer by profession and not an engineer. If I want technical clarification, I consult professionals in that field. It is always important to rely on expert knowledge before making public statements,” he added.
Earlier, the Site Manager of the Ogbogbo-Ekebeligwe Bridge project, Engr. Samson Ogbonnaya Ezeali, assured residents that the bridge was being constructed in line with approved engineering standards.
Ezeali explained that the concrete being used for the bridge beams was Grade 40, while the slab concrete was Grade 30, in accordance with engineering specifications.
He said the crack observed on a section of the structure occurred on a temporary formwork and walkway, stressing that it had no effect on the bridge’s structural integrity.
“The concrete for the beam is Grade 40, while the slab is Grade 30. The area where the crack was noticed is only a formwork and a walkway; it is not a structural member and carries no load,” Ezeali said.
He attributed the minor defect to the challenges encountered while transporting heavy bridge components to the site due to the difficult terrain and stream crossing in the area.
“It is just a minor crack on a non-load-bearing section. It can easily be remedied and does not in any way affect the quality or safety of the bridge,” the engineer added.
Residents of the area, including Onyebuchi Ekpiri, Clement Nwanshi, and Christian Nkwuda, among others, expressed optimism that the completion of the Ogbogbo-Ekebeligwe Bridge would enhance transportation, improve economic activities, and end the challenges previously associated with crossing the area, particularly during the rainy season.
The Ogbogbo-Ekebeligwe Ishieke Bridge is among several infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Ebonyi State Government under Governor Nwifuru’s administration as part of efforts to improve connectivity and promote rural development across the state.
