FG Rejects Claims Of Poor Construction, Defends Oju-Ore Bridge Integrity

The Federal Ministry of Works has dismissed concerns over the structural integrity of the Oju-Ore Bridge in Ota, Ogun State, assuring that the project is being executed in line with approved engineering standards and specifications.

According to Ireporter Online, the ministry gave the assurance following claims circulating on social media suggesting that local contractors handling government road projects could be compromising construction standards.

The ministry said the Oju-Ore Bridge had undergone the required integrity tests and passed all assessments, maintaining that the structure remained stable and fit according to engineering specifications.

The assurance followed an inspection of the ongoing project by a delegation from the ministry led by the Director of Bridges, Highways and Road Designs, Engr. Musa Saidu. The inspection was carried out on the directive of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, following public concerns about the quality of the project.

Speaking with journalists after the inspection, Saidu said the assessment showed that the bridge met the required engineering standards and that allegations of structural defects were not supported by technical evidence.

He explained that the integrity of a bridge could not be determined merely through photographs or videos posted on social media, stressing that engineering assessments must be based on scientific tests and technical evaluations.

Saidu said the Ministry of Works would not compromise on the quality of public infrastructure, adding that the Oju-Ore Bridge was being constructed according to approved designs and under the supervision of relevant authorities.

According to him, the contractor’s work was satisfactory, although some minor finishing issues identified during the inspection would be addressed before the project is completed.

He further noted that heavy-duty vehicles were already using the bridge despite the fact that construction work was still ongoing, which he said demonstrated the strength of the structure.

The ministry also urged members of the public to support indigenous contractors working on government projects and avoid spreading unverified claims capable of undermining confidence in critical infrastructure.

Saidu, however, warned traders and other members of the public against occupying or trading beneath the bridge, describing the practice as dangerous because the area remains an active construction site.

He stressed that construction zones are restricted areas and urged residents to stay away from locations that could expose them to unnecessary safety risks.

The ministry expressed confidence that the contractor had resolved earlier challenges that affected the pace of construction and would complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.

Representing Laralek Construction Company, which is handling the project, Mr. Tope Ojo also assured the public that the bridge was being constructed strictly in accordance with approved engineering designs and government specifications.

Ojo said structural components of the bridge, including its span, bearings, beams and piers, were executed according to approved drawings, with some elements reportedly exceeding the minimum design requirements.

He maintained that there was no cause for alarm, saying all required integrity tests had been conducted and the results confirmed compliance with engineering standards.

According to Ojo, the tests were carried out by independent consultants rather than the contractor, with the results submitted to the relevant authorities.

He added that officials of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) had also conducted an on-site technical assessment and certified that the project complied with the required standards after examining its critical structural components.

Reacting to the inspection, a member of the Oju-Ore Stakeholders Council, Comrade Akomolafe Zubair, welcomed the ministry’s intervention and said the technical assessment had helped restore public confidence in the project.

Zubair said the assessment reaffirmed that the contractor was working in line with government specifications and appealed to residents of Ota and motorists using the route to remain patient as the remaining aspects of the project are completed.

He expressed optimism that the bridge would soon be opened for full public use once construction work is concluded.