Former Commissioner for Works in Imo State, Ben Ekwueme, has urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to act on the advice of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) on some projects considered sub-standard in the state. 

NSE had, during the administration of Emeka Ihedioha, recommend that projects like the flyovers situated at Orji and Amakohia roads in Owerri be demolished for failing integrity tests. 

Ekwueme stated this to newsmen while reacting to the quality of roads and other infrastructures embarked upon by the Uzodimma administration.

He maintained that the continued use of affected roads has exposed Uzodimma’s insensitivity to the safety and well being of citizens. 

He said: “Some of those projects were tested for integrity and the results wasn’t encouraging. I remembered that NSE came in and Ihedioaha also involved Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) to conduct integrity test of the flyovers and other infrastructure done by previous administrations.

“Most failed the test and they recommended outright demolition. The report and the study are with the Ministry of Works.”

“ If the present government is interested in the safety of users, and well as those structures, it can refer to the report as submitted and documented in the ministry to know exactly what to do next. But I will tell you that if the administration of Ihedioha had remained till date, a different approach would have been seen on the part of those structures that we believe are not safe for Imo people.”

Ekwueme, who expressed worry over the quality of roads constructed by some state governments, advised governors to engage certified engineers and companies in the construction of infrastructure projects in the state.

He said in constructing roads and related projects, state governments should prioritise quality, as well as monitor them to completion levels to ensure specifications are not compromised or exposed to sharp practices.