The Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has responded to a report circulating on social media and online platforms concerning a windstorm incident that affected the roofing of one of the ongoing Smart Green School projects in the state, insisting that the incident has been misrepresented.
In an official statement issued by the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Ngozi MaryAnn Ngene, the government said it was necessary to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident, correct what it described as misleading impressions, and reassure residents of its commitment to quality project delivery.
The Ministry explained that windstorms are natural weather occurrences capable of damaging exposed building components, particularly roofing structures, in many parts of the world, noting that such incidents do not automatically indicate structural failure.
According to the statement, the windstorm that affected the Smart Green School project was not limited to the facility alone, as several residential buildings, market stalls, trees and other structures within the same axis were also impacted by the storm.
Officials said the clarification was not intended as a justification but was aimed at providing factual context and preventing the public from drawing inaccurate conclusions about the integrity of the project.
The Ministry expressed concern over what it described as an attempt by an online media platform, Sahara Reporters, to use the incident to cast doubts on the quality of other ongoing projects being executed by the state government.
It maintained that such generalisation was misleading and did not reflect the realities on ground regarding infrastructure delivery in the state.
Defending the Smart Green Schools initiative, the Ministry said the projects are being executed under strict engineering supervision and are subject to structured quality control procedures.
It added that the schools are formal government projects being delivered with full technical and administrative oversight, contrary to suggestions that standards may have been compromised.
The government further disclosed that it is currently implementing more than 260 projects simultaneously across different locations in the state, describing the infrastructure drive as one of the most ambitious in recent years.
The Ministry argued that in large-scale infrastructure delivery, an isolated incident in a single location cannot be used as a yardstick to judge the integrity of an entire programme.
It also revealed that immediately the windstorm incident was reported, the supervising engineering team mobilised to the site to assess the extent of damage and commence corrective works.
Officials reassured residents that the government remains committed to quality, accountability and timely delivery of projects across sectors.
The statement warned against sensational reporting capable of distorting public perception and undermining confidence in government projects designed to improve community development.
The Ministry emphasised that the Smart Green Schools programme remains a major educational infrastructure initiative aimed at improving learning environments and strengthening educational outcomes across Enugu State.
It noted that the project is also designed to provide modern, technology-driven learning facilities for children and position the state’s education sector for future demands.
The government therefore urged members of the public to disregard what it described as misleading narratives and continue to support ongoing development efforts across the state.
Reaffirming its development agenda, the Ministry declared that the state remains focused on sustaining infrastructure growth and improving public service delivery.
The statement concluded with a strong message that the state government remains committed to building critical infrastructure despite challenges posed by weather and other external factors.
