Minister of Works David Umahi has urged Anambra and Delta states to monitor scrap markets closely. He wants both states to help stop further vandalism of the First Niger Bridge.
Umahi spoke during an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation work at the Onitsha end of the bridge. He said vandals had removed bolts, nuts and parts of the expansion joints. The damage forced the Federal Government to spend heavily on repairs.
“Vandalism is costing the government huge sums of money,” Umahi said.
He also urged residents to report vandals to security agencies.
The First Niger Bridge closed from September 7 to 21 for emergency repairs. However, heavy rainfall extended the closure by one week. Umahi said the bridge would reopen next week after engineers complete the remaining work. He also banned illegal sand dredging within 10 kilometres of bridges nationwide. According to him, dredging near bridges can threaten their structural integrity.
Meanwhile, Umahi ordered the removal of illegal billboards on the bridge. He directed officials to replace them with pictures of President Bola Tinubu. The minister praised the President for projects in the South-East. He also urged Ndigbo to vote strategically in 2027.
Umahi mentioned Peter Obi and said supporters should show what he had attracted to the region. He added that CCTV cameras, solar lights, streetlights and other safety features would improve the bridge.
