The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has condemned the destruction of the expansion joints used to absorb thermal expansions on the recently commissioned 2nd Niger Bridge by unknown vandals.
Describing the act as a cruel sabotage of a national asset, the Minister expressed regret that the bridge was being vandalized by those who were meant to benefit from it.
While he expressed deep shock over the vandalization that was recorded despite the presence of a private security outfit deployed by the federal ministry of works to guard the area, the minister assured that a more formidable security arrangement would be deployed to watch over the national asset.
While promising bounties for whistle blowers on the destroyers of the nation’s road infrastructure, going forward, the Minister assured that no effort would be spared to apprehend the perpetrators and their accomplices.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 4, by his Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, the Minister advised all road users, residents, and authorities around the vicinity of the bridge to help watch over and protect it against vandals.
The statement reads: “The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen Engr. Dr. Nweze David Umahi, FNSE, FNATE, CON is in receipt of a report on the activities of vandals on the superstructure of the 2nd Niger Bridge, particularly the cruel and cowardly incident of destruction of the expansion joints used to absorb the thermal expansions of the 2nd Niger Bridge.
“He expresses deep shock that reports of vandalization are still being recorded despite the presence of the private security outfit deployed by the Federal Ministry of Works to man the area.
“The Honourable 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 socio-economic 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 socio-economic advancement.”
“The Honourable Minister notes that the 2nd Niger Bridge which was handed over to the Renewed Hope administration on 12th December 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, creating vistas of tourism and trade opportunities and improving road safety along the corridor. “But it is heartrending that the facilities are being vandalized by those who are meant to own the benefits it serves.”
“The Honourable Minister appreciates the public for the zeal of their concerns, particularly the patriotic young Nigerian who raised the desired alarm that trended widely in media platforms, and he assures 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 enjoins 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 Amazon 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, and 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 vandalization of facilities on the 2nd 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 of the land but shall also wield the long arms of the law on those who buy or patronize such stolen facilities.
“States and communities are nonetheless required to own and protect Federal Government’s infrastructure sited in their respective domains.
“The Honourable Minister reiterates the commitment of the Renewed Hope administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in changing the road infrastructure narrative of Nigeria.”
