Tag: SERMATECH

  • Sermatech Faces Backlash Following Abuja Meeting Over Project Complaints

    Sermatech Faces Backlash Following Abuja Meeting Over Project Complaints

    In the aftermath of a tripartite meeting held in Abuja on December 20, 2023, involving the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Senator Dave Nweze Umahi, officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, representatives from the Cross River Consultative Forum, and a delegation from Sermatech Nigeria Ltd, tensions have escalated.

    The meeting aimed to address complaints lodged against Sermatech Nigeria Ltd concerning alleged subpar work on the contracts for the construction of Odukpani-Itu-Ikot and the rehabilitation of Calabar-Ikom-Ugep highways.

    Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, who was present at the meeting, expressed his astonishment and concern over what he termed “the shamelessness of Sermatech” in response to what he perceived as an orchestrated campaign against the leadership of the Cross River South Consultative Forum. This campaign, according to him, involved propaganda, blackmail, calumny, and lies.

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    Obono-Obla accused Sermatech of attempting to divert attention from its alleged incompetence and failures in executing contracts in Cross River State. He emphasized that the people of Cross River are well aware of Sermatech’s track record and won’t be swayed by what he described as “paid media blitzkrieg” against courageous leaders who exposed the company’s shortcomings.

    He urged Sermatech to acknowledge its failures and address them instead of engaging in tactics that he termed “shameless.” Obono-Obla noted that the patience and civility of the people of Cross River should not be taken for granted.

    This development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing dispute between Sermatech and the Cross River South Consultative Forum, raising questions about the company’s public relations strategy and its ability to navigate the growing criticism of its performance.

  • Calabar-Itu Highway: SERMATECH’s Performance Excites Works Minister

    Calabar-Itu Highway: SERMATECH’s Performance Excites Works Minister

    By Our Reporter

    The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has expressed satisfaction at the performance of SERMATECH on the ongoing remediation work on Calabar-Itu Federal Highway.

    The Minister made the expression Wednesday, while in a meeting with the Cross River State Consultative Forum and representatives of SERMATECH Construction Company, in his office in Abuja.

    Engr. Umahi, who summoned the meeting to listen to petition from Cross River State Consultative Forum, informed that he had erroneously felt bad blood against SERMATECH until he visited the site few months ago, noting that he is impressed with the 40 percent rate already achieved by SERMATECH.

    Rebuffing the Cross River State Consultative Forum’s petition, the Works Minister averred that rather than revoke SERMATECH’s contract, it should be encouraged as the only indigenous company that has continued to work on the Calabar-Itu Highway, carrying out palliative interventions beyond its contractual areas free of charge, adding that “before any calls for revocation, parties agitating must first visit the site and not resort to maligning the good image of the company.” He confirmed that the quality of work was very satisfactory.

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    He berated the group for not visiting the site and getting their facts right, and castigated them over the illusion that indigenous companies like SERMATECH do not have the requisite skill, equipments and personnel to undertake dualization and brigde projects.

    Umahi, in company of some members of his management team, also corrected the misinformation ladened in the Forum’s petition, with a graphical presentation of the 28.6 kilometers awarded to SERMATECH (from the Power Plant to Oku Iboku in Akwa Ibom) and clear demarcation between SERMATECH and Julius Berger.

    He drew the attention of the Cross River State Consultative Forum to the Benin Bypass/Agbor Road, where SERMATECH has been working on yet-to-be-paid basis, describing the company’s gesture as a nationalistic ideal.

    The Minister praised SERMATECH for continuing work on the road even when other companies working on same road had all pulled out for financial remuneration. He appealed to SERMATECH to continue work as Federal Government is poised to completing the Calabar-Itu Highway as a very important economic corridor between the South-Southern states of Cross River and Akwa Ibom and yheir South-Eastern neighbours.

    The tripartite meeting had the delegation from Cross River State Consultative Forum led by Barrister Eyo Ekpo, in company of Hon. Victor Okon, Chief Ani Esin, Prof. Emmanuel Eyo, Hon. James Anam, Sir Maurice Effiwat and Hon. (Mrs.) Ada Egwu.

    The SERMATECH delegation comprised Mr. Isioma Ezi-Ashi, Managing Director – SERMATECH, Engr. Joe Ukpata and Engr. Iheanacho Chibueze.

  • Calabar-Itu Road: NSE, Sermatech complicit in underdeveloping C’River – Cross River South Consultative Forum

    Calabar-Itu Road: NSE, Sermatech complicit in underdeveloping C’River – Cross River South Consultative Forum

     

    By Kelvin Obambon

    A socio-political group, Cross River South Consultative Forum has accused the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Cross River State chapter of conniving with an indigenous construction firm, Sermatech Nigeria Limited, to underdevelop and defraud Cross River State, the Federal Government and the suffering masses.

    The group in a statement made available to The Paradise News on Friday, chided the NSE for rushing to defend Sermatech on the issue of incompetence in executing the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene federal road project awarded to the company in 2020.

    The forum, however, reaffirmed its earlier call on the federal government to revoke and terminate the construction contract awarded to Sermatech, maintaining that the company is incompetent to execute the project, hence its inability to complete the dualization and resurfacing of an existing road made up of 28.8 kilometres and 4 short bridges over a period of 3 years.

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    Below is the full statement:

    Re: ROMANCE OF SERMATECH AND NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS (CROSS RIVER STATE BRANCH) AND THE UNANSWERED QUESTION OF INCOMPETENCE AND UNTOLD SUFFERINGS OF THE MASSES ON CALABAR – ITU FEDERAL HIGHWAY

    We refer to the publication contained in Guardian Newspaper of 3rd December, 2023 captioned – SERMATECH, Nigerian Society of Engineers “tackle” group’s misinformation on Calabar – Itu Road construction” wherein representatives of both SERMATECH and Nigerian Society of Engineers NSE “Lambasted” Cross River South Consultative Forum (CRSCF) for so called misinforming the public over the ongoing dualization of the portion of the Odukpani – Itu highway.
    Cross River South Consultative Forum is not surprised at this publication and attempt to defend incompetence, ineptitude, and fraud by SERMATECH and its pay rollee, NSE. To say the least, the principal actors behind the suffering of the masses on this highway are beginning to unveil their shield of complicity in the underdevelopment of our poor State. We call on patriotic Cross Riverians and the suffering masses to ask the following critical questions:
    Why has the NSE rushed to put a joint defence with SERMATECH if it has no pecuniary benefit to defend in this construction saga brought to the fore by the CRSCF?

    Whether an Association that has integrity and public safety at heart should not exhibit manifest objectivity by condemning incompetence in order to protect the wellbeing of the populace rather than forming an amalgamation of strange bed fellows in attempting to bully CRSCF into silence, for reasons best known to NSE. No doubts, the payer of the piper dictates the tune.

    Why did SERMATECH display photographic evidence or picture of the portion of Itu-Uyo Road constructed by His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio during his first tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State and handled by Julius Berger, rather that pictures of the actual construction site or portions awarded under the current dualization contract. This picture is clearly on display in the guardian newspaper publication referred to above.

    Has SERMATECH in any way rebutted the statement of fact that the first appearance on the construction scene in Cross River State was for the construction of Jonathan Bypass and the state of the Road currently speaks for itself and is evidence of gross incompetence?

    Has NSE while rushing to file a compromised defence for SERMATECH by casting aspersions on a well-meaning body like CRSCF, commented on the state of the Jonathan Bypass filled with collapsed culverts? NSE was fast in loading praises on its sponsor by commending the track record of SERMATECH while evading the nearest evidence of incompetence as exhibited along Jonathan Bypass.

    Finally, the suffering masses of Cross River State should question further the length of time that a so called competent Engineering company should take to dualize and resurface an existing road made up of 28.8 kilometres and 4 short Bridges, as acknowledged by SERMATECH and NSE, having in mind that the contract was awarded and paid for since 2020.

    In conclusion, we state as a group of Cross Riverians who are committed to the development of our State and the desire to break the culture of silence that has placed our State on perpetual underdevelopment, that the portion of the road awarded to SERMATECH runs from the Power Plant in Odukpani to Oku Iboku in Akwa Ibom State and has the following Bridges:

    The bridge across Atan Onoyom River just after the Independent Power Plant in Onim Ankion ward. The Bridge across Calabar River. The Bridge across Okoyong River
    The Bridge on Cross River. And the Bridge across Ayadeghe Estuary in Itu Akwa Ibom state.

    On site inspection of the project will reveal the truth and attempt by these bedfellows to deceive the general public.

    The stretch from Calabar River to Efut Mkpara junction in Onim Ankion ward and the stretch from Obot Obio Inwang in Odot ward to Calabar River are the most deplorable parts of this Road and is an area under the construction of SERMATECH.

    Other failed projects handled by SERMATECH with the knowledge of NSE includes Ikom – Alesi – Ugep – Calabar Federal Highway, an unending construction that has lasted for several years now.

    We reiterate that a journey by the ordinary Cross Riverian or the man on the street, through the three major projects handled by SERMATECH will affirm the position of CRSCF that SERMATECH lacks the competence, equipments and manpower to continue and deliver on the multi-billion naira contract awarded for the dualization of portions of Calabar – Itu Federal Highway.

    That NSE has its vision beclouded by pecuniary reasons, in supporting this company. Their connivance with SERMATECH to underdevelop and defraud Cross River State, the Federal Government and the suffering masses is manifest in the distortion of facts, insinuations and aspersions casted on the Cross River South Consultative Forum.

    We reaffirm our commitment to the delivery of good service to our people by calling on the Federal Government through the Minister of Works to terminate this contract awarded to SERMATECH and its crony NSE.

    This appeal is made in good faith as a stitch in time saves nine. We await further response from SERMATECH and NSE for us to finally publish a list of fraudulent Cross Riverians who aided and abated the award of this portion of the road to this incompetent construction company in preference to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited.

    He who lives in a glass house should not throw stones.

    HON. BARR. JOSEPH E. ETENE

    REV. HON. JAMES ANAM

    HON. VICTOR E. OKON

    SIR MAURICE EFFIWATT

    HON. (CHIEF) ANI ESIN

    HON. MRS ADA CHARLES EGWU

    PROF. (BARR.) EMMANUEL EYO

    HON BARR. EYO NSA EKPO
    CHAIRMAN.

    End.

  • Odukpani-Itu Road: Youth Group Counters Cross River South Consultative Forum, Passes Vote Of Confidence On SERMATECH

    Odukpani-Itu Road: Youth Group Counters Cross River South Consultative Forum, Passes Vote Of Confidence On SERMATECH

    By Kelvin Obambon

    A group, the Combined Youth Council Of Landlord Communities Of The Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway Project has countered the call made by the Cross River South Consultative Forum for the revocation and termination of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road construction contract awarded to SERMATECH Nigeria Limited over claims that the indigenous company lack the technical expertise to execute the project.

    Youth council of the landlord communities in a letter dated December 5th, 2023 and addressed to the Honourable Minister of Works, urged the Federal Government to ignore the call by the Cross River South Consultative Forum, while expressing confidence in the capacity of SERMATECH to effectively execute the construction of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene federal road. It added that rather than castigating SERMATECH, the company should be commended for remaining on the site while the other company, CCECC left.

    The letter reads;

    “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to a certain “Cross River South Consultative Forum” with the above caption alleging “lack of competence, manpower, pedigree, technical expertise and equipment” in handling the construction of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway, as some of the reasons they are calling for the revocation/termination of the road project as awarded to SERMATECH NIGERIA LIMITED.

    “As law abiding and peace loving citizens and especially in the light of our knowledge of the Authors of the said statement, we have come out to issue this rejoinder (even when it is against our revered tradition of ignoring such uncomplimentary remark) just to avail the gullible public the truth of the matter as we put the records straight.

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    “We hasten to state here that the statement by the Authors is a disjointed compendium of falsehood, which further manifestly expresses the utter ignorance on their part, of how modern day contracts are awarded. Besides,the tone of presentation in the said piece speaks volumes of the gross act of mischief being plotted by the socio-political group, Cross River South Consultative Forum.

    “While we commend the Federal Ministry of Works for awarding Messrs SERMATECH NIG. LTD and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd, NNPCL, for the initial financing of the project,we would like to remind the Cross River South Consultative Forum that SERMATECH NIG LTD did not just land the road construction from the blues, without passing through thorough scrutiny.

    “The public should put on notice that when the contract was first awarded to Messrs Julius Berger, CCECC and SERMATECH, CCECC withdrew its services for whatever reason, leaving Julius Berger and SERMATECH NIG LTD.
    Today, Julius Berger has been reported to have pulled out of the project while SERMATECH NIG LTD is the only company on site. Should this attract condemnation or commendation from the Socio-political group,Cross River South Consultative Forum? Until a proper answer is given by the group of this very important question, the attack by the group crumbles like a pack of card.

    “Raising the issue of incompetence and other such accusations against the company is more or less an attempt to indict the Federal Ministry of Works through which SERMATECH NIG LTD got the job. How unfortunate!

    “It is important to point out here that our interest as great citizens is to see to the seamless construction of the road by the company, having seen several attempts to disrupt the progress of work or distract the company from making progress in their work delivery.

    “While not holding brief for SERMATECH NIG LTD, we would lay bare our knowledge of the project, of the company and then attempt an overview as to why the gullible public should not believe any deliberate falsehood which may pitch them against the construction company or the Federal Government.

    “SERMATECH NIG LTD, we are fully informed; with verifiable proofs, has a proven track record of excellent job delivery. In fact, a section of the Calabar-Ikom Federal Highway for instance, which was constructed by the company is still in use and a testament to the company’s competence and excellent delivery.

    “We are also aware that the company decided to settle only for excellence in the construction process and has maintained this reputation and standard in the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road sites and bridges so far constructed by her. (vide pictures of such excellent job delivery on the highway attached).

    “We are also aware that the Cross River State Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) have commended SERMATECH NIG LTD for the excellent job she is doing in the project site, just as Your Excellency during your recent inspection of the project, also gave the company a path on the back for a great job.

    “At this point, we make bold to say that there was never a time that the section of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway awarded to SERMATECH NIG LTD has witnessed traffic collapse. Rather the company has always voluntarily intervened in other sections outside of its jurisdiction in a bid to ensure the collapse from those sections does not result in severe damage that would thereby raise the cost implications for her own repair works. In fact, until Faith Plant was brought in to the section handled by Julius Berger, SERMATECH NIG LTD, has always intervened in the aforesaid section on Julius Berger’s behalf.

    “They also alleged that they have had cause to condemn SERMATECH NIG LTD’s “shoddy handling” of their section in concert with other Stakeholders which they went ahead to mention. But we ask these Purveyors of lies and deliberate falsehood against SERMATECH NIG LTD why they failed to invite to such meetings, the Federal Ministry of Works and the NNPC Ltd. who are also critical Stakeholders, at least to have a first hand knowledge of the job description and terms of the contract before they resorted to exposing their gross ignorance of the entire issue.

    “We are youths in the Landlord Communities. But there is never at time we or our Elders were told about any such meeting(s) nor invited  by the Socio-political group to attend any. It beggars believe that some persons even as adults, are still co-habiting with lies and sentiments that they would naturally do away with at a certain age.

    “However, the fact remains that SERMATECH NIG LTD has two major swamps of Okpokong and Calabar River. The Okpokong Swamp has 5kilometre length and has been fully constructed with pavement works done up to binder course level awaiting the final wearing course layer.

    “The work has survived the vagaries and other such situations for more than two years, and yet has no issue whatsoever. Motorists are enjoying a smooth ride daily on that portion of the road.

    “Also, active work is ongoing at the Calabar River Swamp with adequate Geo-technical Treatment, sub-soil drainage to lower the ground water table, excavation to remove  unsuitable materials, hardcore filling and sand filling to stabilise the road section. Alleging that the job is difficult for the construction company to handle is certainly revealing of the utter ignorance and mischievous inclinations of the characters involved in those tissues of lies.

    “Construction job is not an aile party where people sit in drinking pubs to gossip. It is purely technical and we bet the Cross River South Consultative Forum to come up with any technical report or outcome of any inquest they have conducted on the project, to support their claims.

    “We find it equally appalling that the Authors of the said jaundiced report did not find out the number of bridges on the SERMATECH NIG LTD section, before going public in their accusations of the company finding it difficult to handle five bridges.

    “To also straighten the records on the foregoing, the company had four instead of five bridges on its section: two of the bridges have been fully constructed and completed; Atan Okoyong and Okpokong bridges respectively. A third bridge, the Ayadeghe bridge is at capping beam level, and all the precast beams are completed for fixing just as the two abutment walls are set. The four old  bridges have also been given a facelift having been rehabilitated.

    “Hon. Minister Sir, after a careful and dispassionate analysis of the statement by the so called Cross River South Consultative Forum, we have come to the realisation that the main objective of the socio-political group in delving into the construction issue is not as genuine as they may want people believe.

    “Their aim is to smear the SERMATECH NIG LTD; move further to strip her of the construction work and then come out later on with their mischievous and self serving agenda cloned in unhealthy rivalry.

    “We recall that, SERMATECH NIG LTD has suffered several cases of protest, undue rivalry and backlash for refusing to yield to similar distractions and the disruption of its operations in the past.

    “Now, again they are on another inglorious voyage of sponsoring deliberate falsehood. Some of them initially brought up the issue of Community Liaison Officer, CLO, as a bait agitations to drag the company’s name and reputation in the mud. Incidentally, SERMATECH NIG LTD was smarter and they failed woefully.

    “Hon. Minister, we want to place on record that as concerned Stakeholders in the road project, we will stop at nothing to ensure that SERMATECH NIG LTD enjoys the peace, and stability required to do a perfect and seamless construction job, so that posterity will always remember and speak for us when the Clarion call requiring those who meant well for the road project to see the light of day would be made.

    “On this note, we urge that you utterly set aside, jettison and or ignore the so-called Cross River South Consultative Forum and her unnecessary request for the revocation and termination of the contract for the construction of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway as currently handled by SERMATECH NIG.LTD.

    “Thank you and please accept the assurances of our very warmth regards.”

  • SERMATECH has capacity, resources to execute any job in Nigeria – Management

    By Frank Ulom

    The management of SERMATECH Nigeria Limited has said the construction company has the full capacity and resources to execute any job in Nigeria.

    This was disclosed by a statement signed by Bogus Aiks, Public Relations officer of SERMATCH on Sunday and made available to THE PARADISE NEWS.

    The company was responding to reports credited to a group known as Cross River South Consultative Forum which called for the revocation of contracts awarded for the construction of some portions of Calabar-Itu road.

    According to the statement, “Some stakeholders have raised eyebrows concerning the quality of jobs being executed there, pointing fingers at SERMATECH.

    “While we agree that citizens have a right to monitor projects being executed in their domain and express concern where they find lapses in the project’s execution, it also behoves the citizens to carry out proper investigations on the state of the projects, who is doing what and how.

    “However, we are not joining issues with anybody. We wish to state categorically that SERMATECH Nigeria Limited is an indigenous Construction giant with an established track record of over 20 years in the industry, and has a track record of successfully delivering on its mandate to all clients.

    “SERMATECH has always executed all contracts awarded to it with full compliance to scope and specifications. SERMATECH has the full capacity and resources to execute any job in Nigeria.”

    On the work done by SERMATECH in Cross River, the statement said: “We did 67km from Iyamoyong to Akpet 1 successfully. We are currently rehabilitating from Akpet 1 to Odupkani Junction – 25 out of 75km has been completed. Paucity of funds from the federal government is the cause of the delay.

    “We equally wish to state that the rehabilitation of Alesi-Ugep has never been abandoned. SERMATECH mobilised to the site in 2014 and commenced work even before we were mobilised.”

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    Adding that, “Since we commenced work in the Odukpani-Itu Road, no section within our stretch of work has collapsed. This is because we carry out palliative work continually to ensure the free flow of traffic.

    “We wish to point out that our project spans two critical swamps namely, the Okpokong swamp and the Calabar River swamp.

    “The Okpokong swamp is 5km. This section is fully constructed with pavements work up to the binder course layer. Motorists are already enjoying the smooth road. It has survived more than two years now without issues.

    “Active work is ongoing at the Calabar River swamp. The section is actively receiving adequate geotechnical treatment; subsoil drainage to lower the groundwater table, excavation and removal of unsuitable materials, hardcore filling, and sand fill to stabilise the section.

    “Out of the 4 bridges in our section, we have fully constructed and completed 2, Atan and Okpokong bridges, respectively. The third bridge, Ayadeghe, is at the capping beam level; all precast beams are completed and the two abutment walls are completed.

    “The four existing old bridges have also been rehabilitated to have a new look.

    “We state that SERMATECH’s portion of the road is about 28km and not 50km as wrongly reported and the portion being mentioned is not within SERMATECH’s purview, but rather a different company.”

    Aiks further pointed out that SERMATECH is not the only company involved in the project, stressing that, “SERMATECH had, twice, carried out palliative interventions on the portion of the road when traffic collapsed even though it is not under its purview all in a bid to ameliorate the suffering of commuters and other road users.

    “Already, we have again commenced palliative work on our portion of the road to ease access for motorists and other road users as we approach the Yuletide. This is in line with Federal Ministry of Works directives that federal roads be made motorable this season.

    “We call on stakeholders and other agencies to get proper information from project stakeholders such as Federal Ministry of Works or NNPC in order not to mislead the public.”

  • SERMATECH Dismisses Group’s Call For Contract Revocation As Baseless, Misleading

    By Ebi Collins

    SERMATECH Nigeria Limited has dismissed calls from Cross River South Consultative Forum for the revocation of contract awarded it for the renovation of some sections of Odukpani-Itu highway.

    The civil engineering company (SERMATECH) made the assertion through its Cross River representative, Ento Edako, in reaction to the sinister motives by the benighted group, noting that SERMATECH has kept a track record of successfully delivering on its mandate to all clients.

    “The appeal coming from a supposed group called Cross River South Consultative Forum, requesting for revocation of Odukpani-Itu Road is a call in ignorance. The said group is not properly informed,” he spewed.

    The engineering company condemned the group for being blind to the fact that SERMATECH portion of the road is not 50km as wrongly purported by Cross River South Consultative Forum, but 28km.

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    The company also discredited the group for being oblivious of the fact that the portion that was mentioned in their spurious claim is not within SERMATECH’s purview, but rather a different company, as SERMATECH is not the only company involved in the project, adding that “the number of bridges under SERMATECH are four, and not five as stated by this poorly informed group.”

    SERMATECH also informed that it had, twice, carried out palliative interventions on the portion of the road albeit not under its purview when traffic collapsed in a bid to ameliorate the suffering of commuters and other road users.

    “Cross River South Consultative Forum should get proper information from project stakeholders such as Federal Ministry of Works or NNPC in other not to mislead the public.

    “Since we commenced work in the Odukpani-Itu Road, no section within our stretch of work has collapsed. This is because we carry out palliative works continually to ensure free flow of traffic,” the SERMATECH representative stated.

    Continuing, it said: “Worthy of note is that our project spans through two critical swamps. The Okpokong swamp and the Calabar River swamp. The Okpokong swamp is 5km. This section is fully constructed with pavements work up to Binder course layer. Motorists are already enjoying the smooth road. It has survived more than two years now without issues.

    “Also, active work is ongoing at the Calabar River swamp. The section is actively receiving adequate geotechnical treatment; subsoil drainage to lower the groundwater table, excavation and removal of unsuitable materials, hardcore filling, and sand fill to stabilize the section.

    “Out of the 4 bridges in our section, we have fully constructed and completed 2; Atan and Okpokong bridges, respectively. The third bridge, Ayadeghe, is at the capping beam level; all precast beams are completed and the two abutment walls are completed. The four existing old bridges have also been rehabilitated to have a new look.”

    The indigenous engineering company advised Cross River South Consultative Forum to always do some fact finding and cross check such facts before going to press so as not to misinform the people.

    The Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Cross River chapter has, in solidarity, also condemned in totality the misguided information being circulated by the group.