The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has asked governors of Anambra and Delta states, to monitor the scrap market in their states closely to avoid further theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure at the First Niger Bridge.
Umahi stated this on Wednesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing rehabilitation work at the Onitsha end of the bridge, linking Anambra and Delta states.
He decried the activities of vandals at the bridge, lamenting that the Federal Government had spent huge amount of money fixing the vandalised bolts and nuts as well as expansion joints at the bridge.
Recall that the bridge was closed to traffic from September 7 to 21, for emergency rehabilitation following the discovery of vandalised structural components, including bolts, nuts and portions of its expansion-joint steelwork.
The closure, initially scheduled to end on September 21, was extended by one week due to persistent rainfall affecting the rehabilitation work.
He said, “We will write to the governors of Anambra and Delta states to tell them to monitor the scrap market closely. When I was governor, I banned all scrap activities in Ebonyi State because they contribute to the vandalisation of public infrastructure.
“Vandalism is costing the government huge sums of money. Look at the expenses vandals have incurred for us as a result of their activities.
“We are also urging the people to see the protection of the critical infrastructure as a collective responsibility, with a view to ensuring it is protected from vandals. When they see vandals, they should alert the security agencies.”
Addressing the media, Umahi also directed the removal of all illegal advertisement billboards on the bridge and ordered them to be replaced with the pictures of President Bola Tinubu as reward for the “good works” the President is doing for the South-East region.
The minister also assured residents that the bridge would be reopened next week, when the rehabilitation works are completed, insisting that the Federal Government would not be stampeded into opening the bridge until basic things were done.
He also reiterated the ban on illegal sand dredging activities around the bridge, explaining that such activities constitute dangers to the integrity of the bridge.
He said he had directed the Bridge Director to do a letter for to be sent to the Chief of Army Staff, the IG of Police, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Commandant of Civil Defence, the Federal Executive Council to pass a directive that no dredging of sand near any of the bridges nationwide within 10 km.
Umahi commended the contractor, SKECC, for the progress recorded, saying the vandalised bolts had been replaced and secured, adding that the specialised expansion joint vandalised from the bridge had also been manufactured, flown into the country and replaced.
“We won’t be stampeded into opening the bridge until the basic things are done. So far, we are satisfied with the job done on the bridge, which included the installation of CCTV cameras, streetlights, asphalt and reconstructing of the carriageway and walkways, the expansion joints, bolts and others.
“All the elements of the bridge will have to be repainted with grey. Once we are done with rehabilitation works, I want all the illegal advertisements on the bridge to be removed. The bridge will be beautified and placed with the pictures of Mr President for the good works he is doing for the South-East.
“The president has worked so hard and we need to reward his hard work by decorating this bridge with his pictures. I want to say to Ndigbo that we should not throw away our votes in 2027. In the last election we did not vote for Tinubu, yet he is carrying out projects in our region.
“The President deserves to be commended for what he is doing. I have the bragging rights with President Bola Tinubu, and I can tell you that, for the first time, the Ndigbo are getting what they are supposed to get.
“I want our people to be strategic, Peter Obi is our brother, but we have to be strategic and be wise with our votes this time around. I urged those rooting for Peter Obi’s presidency to show what Obi has attracted to Ndigbo.
“We will be here next week to open the bridge, and I want to say that we will write to the security chiefs to tell them that there should not be any checkpoint within 200meters to this bridge because it causes traffic on the bridge, which creates heavy load on the bridge and it is not good for it.
“We thank the people for their patient. The bridge is not just healthier, but will last longer now and motorists will enjoy driving on it. We thank the governors of Anambra and Delta states for their commitment and support to the rehabilitation of the bridge.
“Anambra had to work with ministry of works for the bypass and we apologise for the inconveniences, but it is for their good.
“The bolts that were vandalised have been replaced, expansion joints have been manufactured and flown in by air and replaced. The company has done beautiful work. We will however not be stampeded to open the bridge until the full structural works have been done,” he added.
The minister also directed that additional solar lights be installed, and the CCTV should be completed and then linked to the Second Niger Bridge immediately.
Speaking on behalf of the governors of Delta and Anambra, Mr Charles Aniagwu, Delta Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, commended the Federal Government for the intervention.
“We are pleased with the speed of work. We want to also appreciate our people who demonstrated a whole lot of patience to understand that you are after their safety,” Aniagwu said.
He said the rehabilitation had significantly improved the condition of the bridge and expressed confidence that the work would stand the test of time.
The Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, who conducted the minister round the work praised his tenacity, hard work and energy, which he said has led to the success of the project.
Source: punchng.com
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