Vandalism: Security operatives’ll guard 2nd Niger Bridge –FG

•To reward informants

BY GODWIN OBI

The federal government has promised that the recently-completed Second Niger Bridge would be heavily guarded to forestall vandalism and destruction of the project.

Worried by the reports of vandalism of the bridge which was handed over to the Bola Tinubu administration in December 2023 by the construction company, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, wondered how vandals could destroy the project despite the presence of the private security outfit deployed by the Federal Ministry of Works to man the area.

To this effect, he promised to deploy a more formidable security architecture to forestall vandalism of the facilities, while a technical team has been directed to inspect, evaluate and repair the damaged parts of the structure.

In addition, the government promised to reward any person or group who nabs or gives useful information on the identity of the vandals.

“We shall not only ensure that such perpetrators face the full wrath of the law but shall also prosecute those who buy or patronise such stolen items.

“States and communities are required to protect infrastructure sited in their respective domains” the minister said in a statement.

However, Umahi hailed the public for their concerns, particularly the patriotic young Nigerian who raised the desired alarm that trended widely in media platforms.

He assured the public that a more formidable security architecture is being activated to forestall further havoc on the facilities, while a technical team has been directed to inspect, evaluate and reinstate the damaged parts of the superstructure.

He enjoined all road users, residents and authorities within the 1.6km concrete box girder bridge of the 2nd Niger 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 help keep watch against persons who vandalise, attempt to vandalise or tamper with the road infrastructure facilities on the project, and arrest or report such persons to the nearest police station or call the 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).