The Federal Government has raised alarm over the activities of vandals on the superstructure of the 2nd Niger Bridge.<\/p>\n
Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, announced that he had received a report on the destruction of the expansion joints used to absorb the thermal expansions of the Bridge.<\/p>\n
Umahi expressed deep shock that\u00a0 reports of vandalization are still being recorded despite the presence of the\u00a0 private security\u00a0 outfit deployed\u00a0 by the Federal Ministry of Works to man the area.<\/p>\n
This was contained in a statement signed by the minister\u2019s Special Adviser (Media), Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, in Abuja, yesterday.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
Orji quoted his principal as saying, \u201cIt is saddening that a human being with the right senses could destroy such a critical and strategic treasure that catalyses Nigeria\u2019s socio-economic advancement.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to him, \u201cThe Minister\u00a0 notes that the 2nd Niger Bridge which was handed over to the Renewed Hope administration on 12th December 2023,\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
He, however said,\u00a0 \u201c\u2026But it is heartrending that the facilities are being vandalized by those who are meant to own the benefits it serves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Orji also said, \u201cThe Minister appreciates the public for the zeal of their concerns, particularly\u00a0 the patriotic young\u00a0 Nigerian who raised the desired\u00a0 alarm\u00a0 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\u00a0 to inspect, evaluate\u00a0 and reinstate the damaged parts of the superstructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe 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 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\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
The ministry also promised to handsomely reward any person or group that effects the arrest or gives useful information\u00a0 on the identity of perpetrators of vandalization of facilities\u00a0 on the 2nd Niger or any of our road infrastructure nationwide.<\/p>\n
The federal government appealed to states and communities where such projects are located to take ownership and contribute their quota to safeguarding them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Federal Government has raised alarm over the activities of vandals on the superstructure of the 2nd Niger Bridge. Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, announced that he had received…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":112376,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-112375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n