The Rivers State Ministry of Works, has dispelled rumours making the rounds that a flyover under construction at the Rumukrushi (Tank) axis of the State, collapsed due to structural failure. A press statement signed on August 7, by Dornubari Kiinee, the Special Assistant on Media and Documention to the Hon. Commissioner for Works, Hon. Alabo Dax George-Kelly, noted that the accident was caused by some careless heavy equipment operators.
The statement sighted by Africa Update reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a misleading narrative concerning the incident that occured at the Rumukrushi (Tank) Flyover project site yesterday, Saturday, 6 August, 2022.
“What happened yesterday was not an issue of structural failure but was entirely an accident caused by some careless heavy equipment operators .
“Routine construction works were going on the site when an excavator horizontally collided with an already launched beam while trying to assist a tipper that got stuck. The beam moved out of place and made impact on other beams. This caused damage to the beams on that row.
“The erroneous narrative being propagated by mischief-makers is with the sole aim of causing unnecessary panic amongst unsuspecting members of the public.
“The good people of Rivers State should disregard it in its entirety because there is no cause for alarm whatsoever. The structural integrity of the 10th flyover is not in dispute in anyway. What happened was an avoidable incident caused by two careless equipment operators.
“To the glory of God there was no casualty. The management of Julius Berger has been swiftly notified by the Honourable Commissioner for Works; the damaged beams will be removed and new ones will be relaunched. There is no need for panic as the situation is fully under control.”
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow Africa Update Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!