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… promises to reward persons who provide useful information
From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Federal Government has promised that the recently-completed Second Niger Bridge would be heavily secured to forestall vandalism and wanton destruction of the project.
Worried by the reports of vandalism of the bridge which was handed over to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in December 2023 by the construction company, Minister of Works, Engineer Nweze 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 man the area.
To this effect, he promised to deploy a more formidable security architecture 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.
In addition to that, the Federal Government promised to handsomely reward any person or group who nabs or gives useful information on the identity of perpetrators of vandalism of the facility.
“Or on any of our road infrastructure nationwide, and shall not only ensure that such perpetrators face the full wrath of the law of the land but shall also wield the long arms of the law on those who buy or patronise such stolen facilities.
“States and communities are nonetheless required to own and protect federal government’s infrastructure sited in their respective domains” the minister noted in a statement.
However, Umahi hailed the public for their concerns, particularly the patriotic young Nigerian who raised the desired 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).
