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The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has described as “cruel and cowardly,” the destruction of the expansion joints used to absorb the thermal sections of the Second Niger Bridge.The Punch can report
The minister expressed shock that reports of vandalism were still being recorded, despite the presence of the private security outfit deployed by the ministry to man the area,
He, therefore, said a technical team had been directed to inspect, evaluate and reinstate the damaged parts of the superstructure.
Umahi, reacting to a viral video which circulated on Monday, showing where some of the fittings on the bridge had been removed, described the development as saddening.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser (Media), Uchenna Orji, on Tuesday, “The minister condemns in the strongest terms this ruthless destruction of the expansion joints as a deliberate act of sabotage on a key national infrastructure that has immense socioeconomic benefits to the contiguous states and indeed the entire nation.
“It is saddening that a human being with the right senses could destroy such a critical and strategic treasure that catalyses Nigeria’s socioeconomic advancement.”
“The minister notes that the Second Niger Bridge, which was handed over to the ‘Renewed Hope’ administration on December 12, 2023, after its completion, is one of the PIDF projects intended to bridge the gap in the road infrastructure yearnings of the people of the area and boost economic activities by expanding access into the southern part of Nigeria.
“But it is heartrending that the facilities are being vandalised by those who are meant to own the benefits it serves.”
He lauded the patriotic young Nigerian who raised the alarm through the video and assured that a more formidable security architecture would be activated to forestall further havoc on the facilities.
He enjoined all road users, residents and authorities within the 1.6km concrete box girder bridge of the bridge, the two secondary bridges of 21.7m each on Amakon village road, the cloverleaf interchange at Onitsha-Owerri road and the approach roads between Asaba, Delta State and Onitsha, Anambra State, to keep watch against persons who vandalised, attempted to vandalise or tampered with the road infrastructure facilities on the project.
He urged the residents to arrest or report such persons to the nearest police station or call 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).
He promised a handsome reward for any person or group who nabbed or gave useful information on the identity of perpetrators on the Second Niger Bridge or any road infrastructure facilities nationwide
