ABAKALIKI – The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Works has dismissed as false and misleading a social media report alleging that the state government had engaged a Chinese construction company to take over the Vanco Flyover and Tunnel Project in Abakaliki and ordered the demolition of the existing structure.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Works, Mr. Onwe Emmanuel Onwe, the ministry described the report as a fabrication designed to misinform the public and undermine the infrastructural development efforts of the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
The statement clarified that at no time had the Ebonyi State Government approved or announced plans to demolish the Vanco Flyover and Tunnel Project, contrary to claims circulating on social media.
According to the ministry, there is also no truth in the allegation that a Chinese construction company was invited to assess the project and subsequently recommended the demolition of the existing structure due to alleged defects in the foundation.
“The report is entirely false, unfounded and does not reflect the reality of the project,” the ministry stated, stressing that no Chinese firm had made any such recommendation to the government or the Ministry of Works.
The ministry accused the authors of the publication of deliberately spreading misinformation with the intention of creating public anxiety and casting doubt on the government's commitment to infrastructure development.
It further emphasized that all decisions relating to public projects in Ebonyi State are guided by professional engineering assessments, due process and the best interests of the people, rather than unverified claims and social media rumours.
The government also faulted portions of the report which speculated about project costs, contract arrangements and alleged kickbacks, describing such assertions as baseless and irresponsible.
The Ministry warned that the circulation of false information regarding critical infrastructure projects could mislead the public and erode confidence in government institutions.
Reaffirming the state government's commitment to the completion of the project, the ministry noted that the Vanco Flyover and Tunnel remains a critical infrastructure initiative aimed at improving traffic flow, addressing flooding challenges and enhancing economic activities within Abakaliki and its environs.
The statement also dismissed suggestions that investment in infrastructure was being pursued at the expense of empowerment programmes, noting that skill acquisition and empowerment initiatives are simultaneously being implemented through various ministries and government agencies.
The ministry therefore urged residents of Ebonyi State and the general public to disregard the publication in its entirety and rely solely on official government channels for accurate information concerning ongoing projects across the state.
It reiterated its commitment to transparency, public engagement and accountability while maintaining a firm stance against misinformation and deliberate attempts to distort facts for political or personal interests.
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