Enugu Govt Dismisses Claims of Poor Workmanship on Smart Green School Project
The Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has dismissed reports suggesting poor construction quality on one of its ongoing Smart Green School projects following a recent windstorm that affected part of the roofing.
Reacting to a report credited to Sahara Reporters, the Ministry said the publication created a misleading impression and failed to present the true facts surrounding the incident.
In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Mrs Ngozi MaryAnn Ngene, the Ministry explained that windstorms are natural phenomena known to cause damage to exposed building components, especially roofing elements, during periods of extreme weather, stressing that such occurrences do not automatically amount to structural failure.
The Ministry clarified that the windstorm did not affect the Smart Green School project alone, noting that several private residential buildings, market stalls, trees and other structures within the same area also suffered damage from the storm.
According to the statement, the clarification was necessary to provide proper context and prevent members of the public from being misled into drawing inaccurate conclusions about the quality of government projects.
The Ministry expressed concern over what it described as an attempt to use an isolated, weather-related incident to cast doubt on the quality of other ongoing projects across the state, stating that such generalisation was misleading and did not reflect the situation on ground.
It maintained that the Smart Green Schools are being executed under strict engineering supervision and structured quality control procedures, adding that the projects are neither informal nor carried out without professional oversight.
The statement further revealed that the Enugu State Government is currently implementing over 260 projects simultaneously across various locations, explaining that the occurrence of an isolated incident in one location does not undermine the integrity of the overall development programme or negate the progress being recorded across the state.
The statement disclosed that immediately the incident was reported, the supervising team mobilised to the site, carried out an assessment of the damage and commenced corrective works.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to quality, accountability and timely delivery of projects, the Ministry said it would not allow sensational reporting to distort public perception or erode confidence in initiatives aimed at transforming communities.
The Smart Green Schools initiative was described as one of the most ambitious educational infrastructure programmes in Nigeria, designed to improve learning environments, strengthen educational outcomes and provide modern facilities for children across Enugu State.
The Ministry therefore urged the public to disregard misleading narratives, reiterating that the state remains focused on sustainable development.
“Enugu is building, and Enugu will continue to build,” the statement concluded.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
