The Ministry of Public Works has expressed disappointment in Commander Zor and his team, who were responsible for enforcing weight restrictions but failed to prevent this significant violation.
This incident has highlighted significant weaknesses in the enforcement of safety protocols, which must be urgently addressed to prevent further damage to public infrastructure.
On Monday December 30, a load-bed carrying an excavator collectively weighing over 50 tons, more than double the bridge’s limit attempted to cross, resulting in its collapse.
Earlier in November, the ITI Bridge faced severe over-flooding and unusual vibrations, raising concerns about its structural integrity and prompting the Ministry to intervene.
In response, the Bridge Unit promptly decommissioned the bridge and conducted repairs ahead of schedule.
Damaged components were replaced, and the structure underwent a thorough inspection by the Ministry before being deemed fit for relaunch.
As part of the Ministry’s commitment to public safety, the Ministry convened a conference with community stakeholders, including representatives of the Joint Security, to ensure adherence to the bridge’s load capacity regulations.
During the conference, the Ministry emphasized that the ITI Bridge could accommodate a maximum load of 25 tons.
This includes the weight of a truck (typically 15 tons) and an additional 10 tons of cargo. The Joint Security, led by Commander Eric Zor, was tasked with enforcing these weight limits to safeguard the bridge against overloading.
However, the Ministry is grateful that no lives were lost in the incident, it remains deeply troubled by this unfortunate development adding, this reckless act not only destroyed critical infrastructure but also undermined the Ministry’s painstaking preventive actions.
The Ministry of Public Works reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the safety and durability of public infrastructure.
It urges all stakeholders, especially regulatory bodies, to uphold their responsibilities in protecting national assets.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has launched a full-scale investigation into the collapse and promised decisive action to ensure accountability.
It is also calling on all regulatory bodies to step up their vigilance and prevent similar tragedies.
The Ministry vows to rebuild and strengthen public trust in its ability to protect the nation’s infrastructure.
