FG repairs vandalised Second Niger Bridge, tightens security

The Second Niger Bridge's expansion joints and vandalised railings, which were intended to absorb thermal expansions, have been fixed by the Federal Ministry of Works.

Our correspondent learned about this on Monday from Uchenna Orji, the Minister of Works' Special Advisor on Media, Dave Umahi.

According to Orji, the bridge's vandalised areas were fixed on Sunday.

In order to strengthen security, curb vandalism on the bridge, and prevent additional damage to the "superstructure," he continued, the Federal Ministry of Works is collaborating with the police and other security authorities.

"Yes, the vandalised portions of the bridge have been fixed," he declared. The government is taking firm action to stop additional instances of facility theft and vandalism on the Second Niger The Second Niger Bridge's expansion joints and vandalised railings, which were intended to absorb thermal expansions, have been fixed by the Federal Ministry of Works.

Our correspondent learned about this on Monday from Uchenna Orji, the Minister of Works' Special Advisor on Media, Dave Umahi.

According to Orji, the bridge's vandalised areas were fixed on Sunday.

In order to strengthen security, curb vandalism on the bridge, and prevent additional damage to the "superstructure," he continued, the Federal Ministry of Works is collaborating with the police and other security authorities.

"Yes, the vandalised portions of the bridge have been fixed," he declared. The government is taking firm action to stop additional instances of facility theft and vandalism on the Second Niger.
Uchenna Orji, Special Advisor on Media for the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, informed our correspondent about this on Monday.

Orji claims that on Sunday, the vandalised parts of the bridge were fixed.

The Federal Ministry of Works is working with the police and other security agencies to bolster security, stop vandalism on the bridge, and stop further harm to the "superstructure," he said.

"Yes, the vandalised portions of the bridge have been fixed," he said. To put an end to more incidents of vandalism and infrastructure theft on the Second Niger, the administration is acting decisively.

This comes after a video appeared on social media last Monday, demonstrating how certain expansion joints and rail fittings put on the bridge were removed and defaced by alleged vandals.
Popular social media user Lord Zeus shared the video last Monday, cautioning drivers to exercise caution when driving, especially at night, as he stood on the bridge.
The Federal Ministry of Works had sent a private security company to patrol the region, but the minister of works expressed profound dismay at the development and bemoaned the fact that vandalism reports continued to be filed.

Orji declared, "Perpetrators and accomplices have been awarded beautiful bounties." The minister issues an edict to all users of the roads, locals, and authorities inside the Second Niger Bridge's 1.6 km concrete box girder bridge, the two secondary bridges on the Amakon village road, the cloverleaf interchange at Onitsha-Owerri road, and the approach roads connecting Asaba, Delta State, and Onitsha, Anambra State, to assist in maintaining vigilance against anyone attempting to vandalise or tamper with the project's road infrastructure facilities.

The next police station should be contacted, otherwise they can be arrested, and they can report such individuals by calling our hotlines, which are 08030986263 (for SA Media), 08033389700 (for Controller of Works, FMW Anambra State), 08067736638 (for Controller of Works, FMW Delta State), or 08037056860 (for Director Highways, Bridges, and Design, FMW).

"Any individual or group that finds or provides valuable information about the identity of those responsible for vandalism of facilities on the Second Niger Bridge or any other road infrastructure facility across the country will receive a prompt and substantial reward from the Federal Ministry of Works. Not only will this ensure that those responsible face the full force of the law, but it will also extend the reach of the law to those who purchase or use these stolen facilities."

He continued by saying that the Minister restates the administration's resolve to rewrite the history of road building in Nigeria.

He declared that the ministry would not put up with any vandalism of public property and added that the bridge has security systems in place to enable prompt response to incidences of vandalism.
A group of police officers was sent by the Delta State police command to the vandalised area of the Second Niger Bridge last week.

Abaniwonda Olufemi, the Commissioner of Police for Delta State, stated that the action was taken to safeguard the location.

When our correspondent visited the bridge on Monday, he saw that the failing sections had been covered and that traffic was moving smoothly. However, the defective streetlights were still not restored, which means that at night the bridge is gloomy.