Vandalism: Security operatives to Guard 2nd Niger Bridge- Umahi

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 recent vandalization of the bridge, the 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 secure 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 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).