Nigeria’s Ministry of Works said it has repaired the vandalised railings and expansion joints used to absorb the thermal expansions of the Second Niger Bridge.
Uchenna Orji, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Works, disclosed this on Monday adding that the ministry was collaborating with security agencies to increase security around the structure.
He said, “the vandalised sections of the bridge have been fixed. Tough and decisive measures are being adopted by the ministry to curb further incidents of vandalism and theft of facilities on the Second Niger Bridge and other public infrastructure nationwide.”
Like many Nigerians, the minister had expressed shock after videos circulating on social media last week showed how rail fittings and expansion joints installed on the bridge were uprooted and vandalised.
Orji implored all road users, residents and the minister appealed to all road users, residents and anyone around the bridge to help keep watch against criminals who attempt to vandalise or tamper with the road infrastructure facilities on the project.
“The Federal Ministry of Works shall promptly and handsomely reward any person or group who nabs or gives useful information on the identity of perpetrators of vandalism of facilities on the Second Niger Bridge or any of our road infrastructure facilities nationwide, and shall not only ensure that such perpetrators face the full wrath of the law but shall also wield the long arms of the law on those who buy or patronise such stolen facilities.”
He added that the Minister reiterates the current administration’s commitment to changing Nigeria’s road infrastructure narrative.