Umahi inspecting the bridge...Photo Credit: Ikenna Obianeri

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate installation of CCTV cameras and solar-powered streetlights on the First Niger Bridge to curb vandalism and theft of critical components of the infrastructure.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, gave the directive on Thursday during an on-the-spot inspection of the First and Second Niger bridges as part of his monitoring of ongoing construction works around the bridges.

Umahi expressed concern over the vandalism of bolts, expansion joints and iron bars holding the First Niger Bridge together, describing the development as dangerous.

Umahi inspecting the bridge…Photo Credit: Ikenna Obianeri

He said the new CCTV system would transmit live footage to relevant officials and the police to enable security agencies to identify and arrest suspected vandals.

While inspecting the bridge, Umahi said, “We saw this vandalism on the social media. We want to thank members of the public for bringing this to our attention.

“The bolts holding this bridge have been vandalised and stolen, including the overhead steel bar which has been disconnected, and that is even more dangerous.

“This will be very difficult to refix because the bridge is under tension, and as I am dragging it, it will make the members to yield.

“People are saying the bridge is shaking, but that is because of the bearing, every bridge shakes. Some movement is normal for bridges. The bridge currently carries considerable dead load because of the asphalt on it.”

The minister directed the Controller of Works in Anambra State, Timothy Emenike, to procure and replace the affected bolts immediately, while welding works would commence thereafter.

“We will fix solar streetlights and CCTV on this bridge and that will be transmitted to your phone and also linked to the police.

“Maintenance work will also commence on the bridge and it will be closed at night during the exercise,” he added.

Umahi also visited the Second Niger Bridge, where he inspected an area threatened by erosion and ordered the immediate arrest of anyone found excavating sand around the bridge.

He warned vandals and illegal sand miners operating around the area, saying the Federal Government would not continue investing in infrastructure only for such activities to undermine the projects.

“I don’t want to know who they are. Once you find anyone involved in the excavation of sand around this area, you must arrest them.

“The Federal Government cannot build bridges for the people and vandals to continue to destroy them. Henceforth, the entire bridge will be wired with cameras to ensure that these vandals are arrested.

“We will fix solar streetlights and CCTV on this bridge and that will be downloaded to your phone and also linked it to the police, so that if we see anyone who comes here to vandalize the bridge, and we pick them up.

“I have better things to do than to keep coming here to inspect vandalisation of infrastructure built by the federal government for the people,” he added.