Niger Bridge vandalism: Monitor scrap markets, Umahi tells Anambra, Delta govs

Jukwaa

🇳🇬 Here's What Happened

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.

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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.”

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.

📰 Source: Punch Nigeria

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