The Federal Ministry of Works has completed the repair of vandalized railings and expansion joints designed to absorb thermal expansions at the Second Niger Bridge.
According to The PUNCH, Uchenna Orji, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, confirmed this development to our correspondent on Monday.
Orji stated that the damaged sections of the bridge were successfully repaired on Sunday.
He further mentioned that the Federal Ministry of Works is collaborating with the police and other security agencies to enhance security and prevent vandalism on the bridge.
This effort aims to protect the ‘superstructure’ from any further damage.
He said, “Yes, the vandalised sections of the bridge have been fixed. Tough and decisive measures are being adopted by the ministry to curb further incidents of vandalism and theft of facilities on the Second Niger Bridge and other public infrastructure nationwide.”
This development comes after a video circulated on social media last Monday, showing the uprooting and vandalism of some rail fittings and expansion joints installed on the bridge by suspected vandals.
In the video shared last Monday, a popular social media user, Lord Zeus, stood on the bridge and advised drivers to be cautious of the uprooted joints, especially at night.
The Minister of Works expressed deep shock over this development, lamenting that reports of vandalism were still being recorded despite the presence of a private security outfit deployed by the Federal Ministry of Works to man the area.
Orji said, “Beautiful bounties have been placed on perpetrators and collaborators. The minister enjoins all road users, residents and authorities within the 1.6km concrete box girder bridge of the Second Niger Bridge, the two secondary bridges of 21.7m each on the Amakon village road, the cloverleaf interchange at Onitsha-Owerri road and the approach roads between Asaba, Delta State and Onitsha, Anambra State, to help keep watch against persons who vandalise, attempt to vandalise or tamper with the road infrastructure facilities on the project.
“They are to arrest or report such persons to the nearest police station or call our hotlines – 08030986263(SA Media), 08033389700(Controller of Works FMW Anambra State), 08067736638(Controller of Works, FMW Delta State) or 08037056860 (Director Highways, Bridges and Design FMW).
“The Federal Ministry of Works shall promptly and handsomely reward any person or group who nabs or gives useful information on the identity of perpetrators of vandalism of facilities on the Second Niger Bridge or on any of our road infrastructure facilities nationwide, and shall not only ensure that such perpetrators face the full wrath of the law but shall also wield the long arms of the law on those who buy or patronise such stolen facilities.”
He also stated that the Minister reaffirms the current administration’s commitment to changing Nigeria’s road infrastructure narrative.
The ministry, he said, would not tolerate any vandalism on public infrastructure and has implemented security measures on the bridge to enable quick responses to incidents of vandalism.
Last week, the Delta State police command dispatched a team of policemen to the vandalized section of the Second Niger Bridge.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, stated that the move was to secure the area.
It was learnt that the bridge repaired sections were functioning well, allowing vehicles to move smoothly.
However, the faulty streetlights have yet to be fixed, resulting in darkness on the bridge at night.
