Ogbete pedestrian bridge has no structural defects, safe for public use on completion – Enugu govt

The Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has reacted to what it described as “a mischievous and false graphic illustration of crack” on the ongoing Pedestrian Crossing Bridge, at Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, trending on social media.

In a statement, shortly after reassessing the project to re-ascertain its structural integrity following the public outcry over the misleading images on social media, the Ministry maintained that “the bridge structure is intact” stressing the picture showing a crack was misleading and does not represents the true image of the structure.

The authorities of the ministry, after assessing the project to ascertain the veracity of the outcries, stated that the structure of the bridge was intact. According to the ministry, “There is no crack on the pedestrian bride, but a designed construction joint at mid-span pier which is applicable to other similar bridges. There are no structural defects from the stair flights through the landings to the beams, and down through the piers to the foundation.”

Against the recent fears being expressed by people that the ongoing pedestrian bridge being constructed at Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, had cracked and might be unsafe for use, the Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, clarified that the bridge is safe.

It therefore, advised those behind the misleading and false pictures on social media to always seek clarifications from the State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

A pedestrian, on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent at the construction site that, “This clarification became necessary because of the widespread rumours that the bridge that is yet to be in use would soon fall. We didn’t know that it was a design to make it last longer. I won’t blame anybody for the observation because it is ignorance.”

A team of engineers from the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority [ECTDA], led by the Executive Chairman were at the site of the project to assess the structural integrity of the project and revealed the following based on seismic analysis:

1) That the pictures of the purported cracks on the bridge were mischievous representations of true reality;

2) That there are no cracks but normal construction expansion joint or movement joint, in line with regular engineering practices on bridges;

3) That from a Civil Engineering standpoint, an expansion joint or movement joint is an assembly designed to hold parts together while safely absorbing temperature-induced expansion and contraction of building materials, and vibration, or to allow movement due to ground settlement or seismic activity. They are not failure points but designed for movement;

4) That these expansion joints are normally sealed after completion of works; and

5) That from a safety perspective, it is not an issue and there is no foreseeable danger with the bridge.

It suffices to note that pedestrian bridges are a much needed part of an urban development infrastructure. Footbridges are needed to provide a non-delayed vehicle traffic, for free-flowing movement of multiple users, including pedestrians and potentially bicyclists. It should be a welcomed development if Enugu State wants to be rated as a 21st Century City.

Be that as it may, the most intriguing part of the findings is that some people within the government agencies have fallen into the trap of perpetrating self-sabotaging process—all too common problems government agencies face. This usually happens when government agencies are influenced by outside forces, especially politicians, to sabotage processes, rules and procedures systematically.

From an insider report, it is noted that the baseless rumour associated with the Ogbete Main Market Pedestrian Bridge was the handiwork of mischief makers, with collaborators within relevant state government agencies. It was therefore not surprisingly to have noted the negative reactions the false report has generated.