FG beefs up security, repairs vandalized sections of the 2nd Niger bridge

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

The Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly refixed all the vandalised railings and expansion joints that used to absorb the thermal expansions at the Second Niger Bridge.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the railings and the expansion joints were recently vandalized by hoodlums.

The Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Works, Mr Uchenna Orji, made this known while speaking with newsmen in Onitsha, on Monday.

He noted that the vandalised sections of the bridge were refixed on Sunday.

According to him: “The Federal Ministry of works is working with the police and other security agencies to beef up security and stop vandalism on the bridge and to save the super structure from further damage.

He said that tough and decisive measures were being adopted by the ministry to prevent further incidents of vandalism and theft of facilities on the bridge and other public infrastructure nationwide.

The Minister however enjoined all road users, residents and authorities within the 1.6km concrete box to help guard the second 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 residents should help keep watch against persons who vandalize the bride,” he urged.

“Any attempt to vandalise or tamper with the road infrastructure facilities on the project, they should be arrested or report such persons to the nearest police station.

“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 iger bridge”, he said.

He added that the Minister reiterates the commitment of the current administration in changing the road infrastructure narrative of Nigeria.

He said the ministry would not tolerate any vandalism on public infrastructure, adding that security measures had been put in place on the bridge to allow for quick response to incidents of vandalism.

Recall that this was the second time the bridge was being vandalised since it was inaugurated by the former President, Mohammadu Buhari, on May 23, 2023.