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Following a comprehensive repair effort, the Federal Ministry of Works has reinstated the integrity of the Second Niger Bridge, replacing compromised railings and thermal expansion joints to guarantee optimal safety standards.
In a conversation with the pressmen on Monday, Uchenna Orji, the minister’s media adviser, confirmed that the repairs had been completed.
Orji announced that Sunday saw the successful repair of the bridge’s vandalized sections, a vital achievement in the ongoing works.
To prevent further vandalism and safeguard the bridge’s superstructure, the Federal Ministry of Works is engaging in a coordinated effort with security agencies, including the police, to strengthen security and protect this vital infrastructure, Orji said.
He said, “Yes, the vandalized 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.”
In response to a shocking video that went viral on social media last Monday, the authorities are taking action. The footage showed suspected vandals dismantling and stealing essential bridge parts, including rail fittings and expansion joints.
Sharing the video last Monday, a popular social media user, Lord Zeus, stood on the bridge, while advising drivers to be cautious of the uprooted joints, especially at night.
Read also: How ₦300bn Was Saved From Redesign Of 2nd Niger Bridge Bypass
The minister of works had expressed deep shock over the development, lamenting that reports of vandalism were still being recorded, despite the presence of the 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 vandalize, attempt to vandalize 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.”
According to him, the Minister is steadfast in the government’s resolve to overhaul Nigeria’s road network, ushering in a new era of infrastructure development.
Vandalism on public infrastructure will no longer be tolerated, he warned, revealing that the ministry has beefed up security on the bridge to enable rapid response to any acts of destruction.
To address the vandalism, the Delta State police command sent a team of officers to the damaged section of the Second Niger Bridge last week.
According to Delta State’s top cop, Abaniwonda Olufemi, the deployment of police personnel was a preemptive measure to ensure the bridge’s security.
A firsthand inspection by our correspondent on Monday showed the repaired sections, enabling vehicles to traverse the bridge without hindrance. However, the faulty streetlights remain a problem, enveloping the bridge in darkness after nightfall.
