Authorities assure population, insist Dibamba bridge not collapsing.

The Governor was accompanied by a team of engineers and representatives from the contracted construction company.

While on the site, the Governor explained that the vibrations are not a threat but stated that it was prudent to inspect the situation and prevent any potential problems.

He said immediate work will be carried out to address the situation of the bridge. The Governor added that competent officials from the relevant ministries were present to conduct a technical evaluation.

Findings from the inspection found that the vibrations were within normal limits for a bridge in service. 

According to the Director General of the National Civil Engineering Laboratory, LABOGENIE, Moufo Jean, during a bridge’s life-cycle, load testing and vibration monitoring measures how various elements move under traffic, in this case the motion observed was of very small amplitude.

He explained that the bridge decks are statically independent, meaning each deck can move slightly relative to the other. He said expansion joints are installed to absorb such movements when vehicles, especially heavy trucks brake or pass.

However, the inspection revealed localised wear and damage requiring intervention. The expansion joints are said to have reached the end of their service life in some places and need replacement. 

According to officials, some sections show deterioration of the bearings, elastic elements that rest between the superstructure and the concrete supports and these bearings must be replaced.

It was announced that surface defects and gaps in the deck will be repaired to prevent worsening under heavy traffic. Governor Ivaha Diboua emphasised that the identified problems are repairable and do not pose an immediate danger. 

“This is not the kind of vibration where you would say the bridge is going to fall. Dimbaba bridge is not falling down,” he said. 

He further expatiated that cracks and separations observed were generally limited on the order of five to six centimeters in spots over a roughly 160-meter span. 

The Governor noted that such cracks are considered manageable within routine maintenance and component replacement procedures.

The Ministry of Public Work’s sectoral teams are coordinating with the engineering experts and the contractor to schedule the necessary works quickly. 

The Governor stressed that these are not large-scale reconstruction works but targeted replacements of wear-prone components such as joints and bearings. 

The repairs will be prioritised to limit disruption to traffic and to ensure the long-term safety and functionality of the bridge. The Governor used the opportunity to thank citizens who reported the problem, noting that prevention is better than cure. 

He urged the public not to panic and assured commuters that trucks continue to cross the bridge safely during the inspection period. 

While some vibration is inevitable whenever vehicles pass over any bridge, the governor reiterated that the Dibamba Bridge is secured and that the planned maintenance will reduce future risks.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3706 of Tuesday February 17, 2026