The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has debunked reports circulating on social media alleging the collapse of a bridge project executed by the Commission in Otuogori community, Bayelsa State.
Addressing journalists at the site of the 600-metre Otuogori-Otuegwe Bridge in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the NDDC Director, Bayelsa State Office, Engr. Godknows Alamieyeseigha, described the report as misleading, as the bridge, still under construction, did not collapse.
He remarked: “We don’t have a bridge yet because we are still at the stage of crossing the beams. So, no bridge has collapsed. However, there was an incident at the construction site, and we are assessing the circumstances surrounding what happened at the site.”
Alamieyeseigha dismissed concerns that the incident resulted from structural failure, describing it as an accident that occurred during construction.
He expressed confidence in the construction company to address issues identified during the assessment and complete the project.
Alamieyeseigha told the journalists who inspected the project with NDDC officials that no bridge has collapsed anywhere in Bayelsa State or any of the nine Niger Delta states.
He said the current Board and Management, led by its Chairman, Mr Chiedu Ebie and Managing Director Dr Samuel Ogbuku, have made quality assurance a top priority, moving the Commission from transactional to transformational development.
According to the Director, NDDC engineers and independent consultants regularly supervise project sites across the Niger Delta to ensure all projects are executed in line with approved engineering designs and standards.
The Managing Director of the construction firm, Engineer Christian Emeozor, assured that the Otuogori-Otuegwe Bridge was being executed to the highest standards.
He said the bridge was still in the preparatory stage, with work focused on positioning the beams before constructing the main bridge structure.
According to him, the incident occurred during the launching of the bridge beams, which were being positioned on their bearings.
“We are constructing a 600-metre bridge, but as you can see, we have not constructed a bridge yet. What you are seeing is just preparations for the bridge,” Omiezor said.
He described the incident as a minor accident, adding that safety measures at the site helped prevent casualties.
“What was going on was the launching of the beams, and in the process, there was a slight incident because the beam was resting on a bearing and had not been secured, it could slide. That was what happened,” he said.
“The good thing is that, with the safety measures put in place, no life was lost.”
