The government of Enugu State, Wednesday, stated that contrary to reports that there were structural defects on the Abakpa Nike Flyover at the Nike Lake Road T-junction, the flyover was up to standards.
There were claims that the flyover, constructed by former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, had cracks.
The state clarified the standard of the bridge in a press statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Comrade Ngozi Ngene.
Ngene said a team of engineers had conducted a thorough investigation following the rumours, adding that they confirmed that the cracks observed were not on the flyover itself, but located at the back of the abutment, where the road ramp was filled to meet the elevation of the bridge.
According to the ministry, the cracks were a natural result of soil settlement: “a common process in which compacted soil gradually releases moisture over time, leading to minor voids and subsequent adjustment of the soil mass”.
Ngene said that the area in question involved over nine metres of filled materials, making such settlement anticipated and not structurally significant.
The statement read, “The general public is hereby informed not to be alarmed by these cracks as they were anticipated. Further investigation was carried out on the structural elements of the flyover, and they were found to be intact.”
The works ministry said that there was no cause for concern and urged residents to disregard any misleading reports suggesting a compromise of the Abakpa Nike Flyover’s integrity.
