The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has urged the Anambra and Delta State governments to closely monitor scrap markets to prevent further vandalism of critical infrastructure at the First Niger Bridge.
Umahi made the call during an inspection of ongoing rehabilitation work at the Onitsha end of the bridge, which was damaged by vandals who removed bolts, nuts and parts of its expansion-joint steelwork.
The bridge was closed to traffic from September 7 for emergency repairs, with the closure extended by one week due to rainfall. Umahi said the bridge is expected to reopen next week after the rehabilitation is completed.
He said the vandalised components had been replaced and that CCTV cameras, streetlights, asphalt and other rehabilitation works were being installed.
The minister also warned against illegal sand dredging around the bridge and directed that additional security measures be put in place.
He urged residents to report suspected vandalism to security agencies, stressing that protecting critical infrastructure should be a collective responsibility.
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